Hospice Isle of Man Services

Referral

All GPs, Hospital Consultants, or Specialist Nurses in Cancer Care can refer a patient for Hospice Services.  They will have been referred to Hospice because they either have cancer or are in the late stages of a non-cancerous condition.  For the patient's sake Hospice welcomes an early referral in order to establish support on all levels.  Referral of a patient will result in contact being made by a member of the Hospice Clinical Team and care will commence immediately.  It may be necessary to consider admission to Hospice Isle of Man if symptoms are proving difficult to control.  In-patient care will establish appropriate medication for pain and/or symptom management.  In the majority of cases patients return home and resume their daily routine with their families without the stress of the pain and symptoms.  Patients, who wish to can attend the Day Therapy Unit, open three days a week.  Additional services for patients referred for Hospice Services include a range of Complementary Therapies.  The Team of qualified therapists between them provide these very special skills which are widely accepted as being a key part of pain and symptom management.
Hospice Isle of Man's service are free to all those who need them. They  include:

In-patient Unit (Adult)

The multidisciplinary clinical team provides specialised palliative care incorporating symptom management, respite care, and terminal care.
In-patient care is delivered in a supportive and relaxing environment where individual needs (patients and families/carers) are respected and accommodated.

Day Therapy Unit 
Our aim is to deliver physical, spiritual, emotional and psychosocial support and practical help for those individuals who require our care.

We will support you from the time of your diagnosis; encourage you to be involved in the decisions regarding your care; help you overcome your anxieties and fears about cancer or other life limiting illnesses; provide a friendly, positive environment focused on your needs; take time to listen 

Specialist Palliative Care Team

We work alongside your doctors in the community and in the hospitals. Our role is to provide advice on pain management and other distressing symptoms; provide support and information to patients and their carers at the time of a diagnosis of cancer and throughout the various stages of treatment; provide support and information for individuals suffering from other life limiting conditions; help to promote palliative care skills and knowledge to professionals, patients and carers through advice, information, education, support, and by example; work within the multidisciplinary team to provide services in the hospitals, community and hospice; advise on end of life care; offer bereavement support

Hospice at Home

This dedicated team works hard to ensure that our patients receive the highest standard of care in their own homes at any time of the day or night

Physiotherapy

Our aim is to conduct ongoing assessment of the needs of the patients and their carers in order to apply skilled interventions, which are vital for patients’ independence, functional capacity and quality of life
Physiotherapy can help through individual exercise programmes and the supply of appropriate walking aids and equipment which can help to strengthen weak muscles, ease joint stiffness and lead to increased mobility and independence; the management of breathlessness by teaching the patient breathing control techniques, relaxation, positioning and how to pace activities; providing advice on the easiest and safest ways of achieving everyday tasks such as transferring from bed to chair or getting in and out of a car; help with pain relief through the use of heat, ice, gentle exercises, TENS, and advice on positioning and movement; advice on managing fatigue

Occupational Therapy

Our aim is to maintain independence and quality of life by identifying the functional problems experienced by individuals as a result of their disease process
We assess, rehabilitate, and treat people using purposeful activity and occupation to prevent disability and promote health and independence; concentrate on the problems with every day tasks such as washing, dressing, eating, and some domestic activities; aid independence by the introduction of specialist equipment; provide a therapeutic activity programme to day care services further enabling patients to remain in their own homes; provide sessions in anxiety management, relaxation therapy, and gentle exercise

Complementary Therapies

The integration of Complementary Therapies into the conventional health care provided throughout Hospice Isle of Man demonstrates the multidisciplinary and holistic approach we take to provide an improved quality of life. Complementary Therapies provided by Hospice Isle of Man include Acupressure Massage, Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, Cognitive Relaxation, Craniosacral Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Reflexology, Reiki

Lymphoedema Clinic

Lymphoedema is a swelling that can occur anywhere in the body when the lymphatic system no longer functions as it should.
Lymphatic drainage techniques are delivered and taught by specially trained nurses in the clinic, enabling patients and their families to be directly involved in their treatment programmes.
The clinic is open 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday.

Psychosocial Care and Bereavement Support

Counselling and Bereavement Support are delivered both at home and in the Counselling Suite within Hospice Isle of Man.

Dealing with an incurable illness places great emotional and practical strains on individuals and families. The Family Services Manager, a qualified Social Worker, plays a crucial role in providing support to patients and their families.

Ongoing bereavement support is offered to relatives and friends of patients who have been cared for by Hospice Isle of Man, either at home or as an in-patient. This service is provided by the Bereavement Coordinator, Trained Bereavement Visitors, Hospice Chaplain, and Specialist Nurses.

Spiritual Care

Everyone has a spiritual dimension to their lives regardless of any connections with a religious denomination or faith community. In the pursuit of its philosophy Hospice Isle of Man provides a team of Chaplains for patients and their families, carers, staff and volunteers. The Chaplains are available to everyone day or night whether in the Hospice or in the community.

Rebecca House

Rebecca House offers specialist palliative care for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and their families. Providing respite, emergency, and end of life care, in a new and purpose built hospice.

Rebecca House offers a home from home with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in an informal, comfortable setting. It is a safe haven where those most in need are assessed and nurtured enabling them to go on living.