Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Earl Mountbatten Hospice?
The Earl Mountbatten Hospice is a Specialist Palliative Care Centre offering people with a progressive life-threatening illness (not just cancer sufferers) the opportunity to live as fully as possible and those close to them the opportunity of support.

The staff at The Earl Mountbatten Hospice are specialists in the control of symptoms, including pain. They care for the physical, emotional, social and spiritual concerns of each patient and provide support for their families and friends.

How are patients referred to The Earl Mountbatten Hospice?
Patients can be referred by their GP, St Mary’s Hospital or their Macmillan Nurses.

Will I have to pay?
No. The service is absolutely free of charge.

Most of this service is paid for by funds raised on the Island and about a third is covered by a grant from the NHS.

In some cases people have health insurance and these schemes may consider a contribution towards meeting the cost of a patient’s care.

If patients or their relatives feel able to make a contribution towards our running costs, this is much appreciated.

What happens after referral?
An initial appointment for assessment is arranged with one of the Hospice doctors during which the patient – and their carers – will be able to discuss how we can help.

This may be arranged as an outpatient appointment or a visit to the patient’s home or hospital ward.

Continuing home support or admission may then be arranged according to the needs of the patient.

Do patients only come to the Hospice to die?
No. Many of our patients are admitted to the In-Patient ward for a short period of time so that symptoms may be relieved or a period of respite care provided. Many patients then return home.

Patients may also be admitted to the Daycare and Out-Patients Unit for one or two days a week. This allows us to monitor them medically as well as provide a social environment – and give their carers a respite.

If a patient chooses to die at home, our Hospice at Home Team (H@H) will coordinate with the District Nurses and Marie Curie Nurses to ensure that the patient is as comfortable as possible, whether that be through the arrangement of drugs, equipment, advice or help.

However, if a patient is reaching the end of their illness then we care for them until they die.

Is there an Out-Patient Service?
Yes. We have Out-Patient Clinics for patients who are referred by their GP or Hospital Consultant for medical assessment and symptom control advice, for counselling or bereavement support and for welfare advice regarding social and financial issues on a number of occasions.

Who attends the Lymphoedema Clinic?
Patients with Lymphoedema, regardless of whether their condition is cancer related or not, are assessed and treated by our Lymphoedema Nurse and Hospice Consultant.

How does The Earl Mountbatten Hospice support families and friends?
Our Home Support Service provides short-term support and counselling to partners, family (including young children and teenagers) and close friends, offering them help in coming to terms with their grief.

Advice and help are also available to deal with social and financial issues.

Is The Earl Mountbatten Hospice a religious foundation?
No. We have no designated religious affiliation and our concern is to respect the wishes and needs of our patients, their families and friends.

Our Hospice Chaplain’s are available to give support to patients and their carers and to arrange services at their request. The Chaplain’s are also pleased to contact leaders of other denominations or faiths.

Does the Hospice have an educational role?
The Earl Mountbatten Hospice has its own Education Centre and offers a selection of study days and courses for nurses, doctors, clergy, social workers and others in the caring professions.

Can I volunteer to help?
Yes, We have over 300 hundred volunteers who help us part time in a wide range of activities from helping with patients and collecting patients from their homes, to manning the Hospice Reception, working in our charity shops to fundraising. Click here for more details.