Visiting update

4 January 2022

Inpatients in healthcare settings can be more vulnerable to severe illness because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Following the latest guidance from NHS England and NHS Improvement, we have updated our own inpatient visiting guidance.

Only one named visitor is permitted to visit symptom management patients, between 2pm and 6pm daily.
Anyone showing any symptoms of COVID-19 should not visit. This is essential for infection prevention and control. If visitors display symptoms of COVID-19 or have a positive test result they should stay at home and self-isolate immediately. If they have symptoms of COVID-19, they should arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible, even if they’ve had one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Anyone feeling unwell, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19 and are fully vaccinated and have received their booster, should not visit.

Lateral flow testing must take place for each visitor and be brought into reception on arrival. Lateral flow kits can be given to family members the day before a visit if known, alternatively they can be collected at reception and undertaken in cars 30 minutes before a visit.
All visitors must always wear a face covering, including when entering and moving through the Hospice, unless medically exempt for which evidence should be provided. Temperature checks and risk assessment to be undertaken at reception on every occasion.

Nurse call bells must be used in the room if assistance is required from staff.

As visitors enter a room, the care staff will aim to exit a room to keep numbers in a room to a safe level that supports social distancing.

Visiting outside of these hours, or for more than two visitors in a room at any time for end of life patients must be agreed with the nurse in charge and will be agreed on an individual basis.

Visiting pets will be at the discretion of the nurse in charge.

Our aim is to keep both patients and staff safe and we understand that visitors are very important. We will consider risks of the spread of Covid-19 in the context of individual circumstances and government guidance.

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact the senior nurse on duty.

Thank you for your support.

Our team always go that extra mile to ensure patients are as comfortable as possible.

Patients are admitted to the Hospice for symptom control or end of life care, and are referred to us by a health professional. This may be a hospital doctor or nurse, or a member of a community team such as a district nurse, GP or Macmillan Nurse.

Our facilities

Accommodation within the Inpatient Unit comprises six single ensuite rooms along with two two-bedded rooms, which also have ensuite facilities. Privacy and dignity in the two-bedded rooms are maintained by a permanent partition wall and curtains when required.

All rooms have electric profiling beds and pressure relieving mattresses. There is a nurse call system in place in each room and all beds have access to a television and radio/CD player.

There is a family kitchen for visitors to make drinks.

All our services are on one level so that patients can enjoy step free access to all areas of the Hospice and also the gardens when the weather permits.

Our Holistic Care

Our objective is to enhance the quality of life for every individual, enabling each person to be supported throughout all stages of their illness. A patient’s needs are continually assessed by the Hospice Team to ensure the best individual holistic care is provided.

We work closely with our Wellbeing Clinic to provide access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, complementary therapy, lymphoedema and breathlessness services and psychology.

Good palliative care involves the patient’s family and other carers, and they can be closely involved in the delivery of care within the Hospice. We are happy to support this and offer assistance as necessary. We also provide support for carers, family members and close friends, both during a person's illness and during bereavement.

Pastoral and spiritual care

The Chaplains’ Team offer a service which is respectful of the variety of human beliefs, which means that we can support people of all faiths and philosophies.
We are committed to making sure that all people from all faith traditions will feel at home in our care. The Hospice’s team of chaplains are fully involved in the care of patients on our Inpatient Unit, and with those who attend our Wellbeing Centre and clinics.

Catering

Our Catering Team provides a quality service for inpatients, day care patients, visitors, volunteers and staff.
The menus offer a variety of well-cooked and appetising foods. A member of the catering staff speaks with the patient daily about meal choices and will endeavour to meet any dietary needs and specific likes and dislikes.
Our catering department has consistently been awarded a 5 star food hygiene certificate.

Mealtimes for patients

Breakfast: 7.30 am onwards
Lunch: 12pm to 1pm
Tea: 5pm to 6pm
Supper is available upon request

Visiting the Inpatient Unit

Visiting time is between 2pm and 6pm. Special arrangements can be made for visiting outside of these hours.
If you are suffering from, or have been in contact with anyone with a stomach upset, or are symptomatic of a cough or cold, please telephone the Inpatient Unit to discuss this with the nursing staff before visiting.

Contact us

This area of the website aims to give a general introduction to all our patient services, as well as answering some of the questions you may have about Lindsey Lodge Hospice. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to call us on 01724 270835 or email enquiries.llh@nhs.net

Your can download our Inpatient Unit leaflet for patients, families and carers here