Thames Hospicecare provides inpatient care, day support, outpatient clinics, Hospice at Home services, bereavement support to carers and families, education to healthcare professional and community practitioners and other allied services.
To download the Information for THc Patient and Families Booklet please click here.
In-Patient Care
Is available to patients requiring complex symptom management, respite care and care at the end of life. Thames Hospicecare has seventeen beds available in a combination of single rooms and four-bedded bays.
Patients attending the in-patient unit are also able to access complementary therapy, a lymphoedema service, providing Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling services, and chaplaincy & spiritual support.
Day Support is provided in two different ways:
• Psychological and social care gives the patient a day of support focussed on the whole person rather than their illness or condition. The day provides an opportunity to meet with others coping with similar conditions and allows the patient’s family or carers time apart from the patient. Complementary therapies, including aromatherapy, reflexology and massage are provided by a team of dedicated practitioners.
• Therapeutic daysupport is focussed around a clinic approach or particular treatment or medical intervention, such as a blood transfusion or symptom control session. Many patients will benefit from this dual approach to care, utilising the different types of daycare alongside each other.
Out-Patient Clinics offer an appointments-based service to enable patients to access medical support from an experienced palliative care doctor. Patients receive help with control of symptoms, advice on medication or palliative care treatment. The medical team liaise with local oncology consultants and GPs to ensure complete patient care.
Hospice at Home services enable patients to stay at home but receive nursing care and support for themselves, their family and carers from specially trained nurses or volunteers. It enables carers to have time for themselves safe in the knowledge that their loved ones are being well looked after and provides them with a break from 24-hour constant care.
Patient & Family Services counselling support is a vital part of the care offered and provides appropriate help to those bereaved or facing bereavement. This multi-professional team includes chaplaincy, clinical psychology, clinical hypnotherapy, social work & counselling, and often keeps in touch with relatives and carers long after their direct involvement.
Occupational Therapy (in conjunction with East Berkshire Macmillan Palliative Care Team & the Acute Trust), is available to those receiving in-patient care, day care or Hospice at Home.
Education services are provided to healthcare professionals across the region. Working with Thames Hospicecare, healthcare professionals can gain a valuable insight into current palliative care approaches and services offered to meet patients’ needs.
The Hospice is registered and operated in accordance with the Healthcare Commission who regularly inspect its work.
