There is always someone to listen and share what can be painful and distressing feelings.
When someone is very ill, everyone in the family is affected. Earl Mountbatten Hospice offers holistic care which extends beyond the treatment of physical symptoms, to consider the emotional and social needs of patients, families and their friends and carers.
Counselling and Bereavement Support is considered an integral part of hospice care and free confidential emotional support and counselling is offered to patients, family, relatives and friends. This also includes children.
Often emotional pain and stresses associated with illness or death are as difficult to overcome as physical symptoms.
Counselling and Bereavement Support recognises that people faced with these difficult circumstances will naturally experience a range of emotions; for example, feeling tearful, anxious, angry, experiencing feelings of helplessness amongst other emotions.
Our service offers:
Individual counselling/support - adults and children
Family counselling (to enable families to talk about what they are facing and gain support from one another)
Telephone counselling
Bereavement Support Group (held monthly)
Educational talks to schools/organisations
Personal Memorial Services for loved ones
Support is coordinated by Mrs Wendy Hookey, a professionally trained counsellor/psychotherapist. Within the department is Kate Abbott, Counselling Psychologist, and Counsellor Faith Stickland. Mrs Phyl Birch gives secretarial support, dealing with referrals and appointments.
Wendy is also supported by a team of volunteers who are specially trained in counselling skills and required to attend monthly supervision.
Who can refer to the Counselling and Bereavement Support?
Patients, families, carers may refer themselves.
Professionals with the Hospice Multidisciplinary Team.
GPs, Macmillan Nurses, Community Nurses.
You can receive more information about the services offered by telephoning our direct number 533776 (where there is also an ansaphone service).