Our Policies
Our Philosophy
For patients who have a progressive and life threatening illness
the staff at Earl Mountbatten Hospice are committed to achieving the highest
attainable quality of life, through skill and understanding. During the time
that remains for that person the staff ensure that, as life comes to an end,
the hospice environment offers dignity, assurance and love.
The needs of each individual should be assessed, so that a holistic approach
is adopted with regard to total care , holistic meaning here, appreciating
every facet of the patient’s care, medical, nursing, social, psychological
and spiritual, as well as looking at alternative ways of treating physical
and mental suffering.
We encourage both patients and their carers to take an active role in their
care, as appropriate, accepting that each carer, patient and professional
is a unique individual.
We believe that it is necessary to create a caring and supportive environment
where feelings and aspirations can be shared by all and that supporting each
other is vital.
Resuscitation refers to the treatment of people who suddenly collapse due to a cardiac arrest. This is a very rare event at the Hospice and our approach is to recognise that dying with dignity is a natural conclusion to life. We do not strive therefore to use artificial means simply to prolong life. Whilst we do not have facilities for resuscitation at the Hospice all our treatments are aimed at improving the quality of life and we often use procedures such as blood transfusions and artificial rehydration if they are felt to be helpful.
Smoking is not permitted within the Hospice. However we accept for patients who have smoked all their life being unable to smoke can be difficult. Therefore, for our in– patients permission may be given to smoke in a small-designated room. Visitors are not permitted to smoke in this room or in the grounds.
