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565 Foxhall Road
Ipswich,
Suffolk
IP3 8LX
T: (01473) 727776
F: (01473) 274717
Email us here

Day care provides supportive care to people living with progressive illness, as well as their families and carers.

A variety of activities and therapies are offered which are flexible and sensitive to individual, physical and psychological needs. Our services are available to all adults trying to live a full life even though they have a serious illness.

Day care provides an opportunity for a change of scene, a chance to talk to other people and, if desired, to take part in some sort of therapeutic, creative activity. It allows the carers at home to have a break.

Our day care service accommodates up to twelve people per day, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The day starts at 10:00 and finishes at 15:30. Nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, lymphoedema treatment as well as a range of complementary therapies are all available according to need. Support from the family support team and chaplain is available. Lunch and transport are also available for those attending for the whole day.

Referral criteria

Anyone can refer to the Hospice; however most referrals are made by a doctor or nurse. If the patient or a family member, Social Care Services or others make a referral, the patient's doctor and/or district or Macmillan nurse will normally be contacted for further information and to confirm that referral is appropriate.

Criteria for referral includes:

• Symptom control
• Assessment or reassessment of physical, psychological, social or spiritual needs
• Respite care

If you feel you could benefit from this service, please speak to your GP, district nurse or Macmillan nurse. Alternatively you can contact day care on 01473 727776, email dservices@stelizabethhospice.org.uk or by completing a referral form.

Assessment clinics

Assessment clinics are held on Mondays and Wednesdays. Patients visiting these sessions are assessed and introduced to the medical, nursing and family support teams.

Out-patients services and domiciliary visits

Appointments for the following out-patient services are available on Monday and Wednesday. Where possible, patients use their own transport to attend assessment clinics and out-patients. The range of services, many of which are available by appointment in out-patients are:

• art therapy
• complementary therapy
• family support
• lymphoedema treatment
• medical follow-up
• music therapy
• nursing care
• occupational therapy
• physiotherapy
• spiritual care

Lymphoedema

Some people with cancer are affected by a type of swelling known as lymphoedema. A qualified lymphoedema nurse is available to provide assessment, advice and management to Hospice patients who have lymphoedema.

The lymphoedema nurse aims to minimise the symptoms by supporting patients to help themselves.

Strategies may include:

• skin care
• exercise
• compression (eg hosiery or bandaging)
• lymphatic drainage massage

The lymphoedema service is available to out-patients, day care and In-patients.