East Lancashire Hospice

Inpatient Care

For management of uncontrolled or difficult physical or psychological symptoms/­problems and end of life care when:

  • The patient is thought to be in his/her last 1-2 weeks of life
    and
  • East Lancashire Hospice is the patient's preferred place of care
    or
  • Current or alternative places of care are not suitable because of evolving symptoms, changing condition, complicated control of symptoms, nursing care needs, psychological problems, family support needs

Referral forms available from the hospice on 01254 965830

How to refer:

  1. Review your patient
  2. Decide admission is appropriate
  3. Check patient agrees to admission
  4. Complete referral form - please give detail about the patient's problems/­situation
  5. Fax completed referral to 01254 665000
  6. We will contact you to arrange date and time for admission
  7. You arrange transport (North West Ambulance have a rapid transfer service for end of life care 01772 867721)
  8. If there are no empty beds, we will offer advice on how to support the patient until a bed is available
  • Most admissions are planned - transfer on the day of the referral if possible or the day after (dependant on bed availability)
  • We aim to admit patients thought to be in their last days of life as soon as possible
  • The information you give on the referral form is important as it helps us prioritise patients on their need when beds are limited. We will keep you informed if the patient is waiting for a bed
  • Average length of stay is 2 weeks - discharges are carefully planned to give patients appropriate support when they leave us
  • We do not provide an emergency service but we aim to provide a responsive service
  • We do not have rigid admission times
  • If your patient is in distress, telephone the Inpatient Unit on 01254 965867 or 01254 965866 to discuss a management action plan with the duty doctor
  • The action plan may include immediate admission to the hospice, Hospice at Home support or other advice to support the patient until admission can be arranged
  • Don't forget the 24 hour Palliative Care Helpline on 07730 639399

For more information, use the contact us section