The Hospice
Hospice Status Update
About the Hospice
The Wisdom Hospice is the only Adult Hospice for the areas of Medway and Swale. The specialist palliative care service, provided by Medway Community Healthcare and partially funded by The Friends, offers a multi-disciplinary approach; providing care at Home, on the Ward or in Hospital.
The Hospice's aim is to help improve the quality of life for patients and their families at any stage of the patient's illness. They support those with a terminal diagnosis or who's illness has become life-limiting. The majority of patients seen by the service have advanced cancer, but they support many with neurological diseases such as motor neurone disease, those with advanced HIV disease and advancing respiratory, cardiac and renal disease.
The Hospice itself includes fifteen in-patient beds, bereavement support and advice as well as psychosocial and family support to patients and their families. They provide palliative care in the comfort of your home, as well as advice and support through our Wellbeing and Therapy centre. This includes respite care and complementary therapies which supported by a Hairdressing Salon, private therapy spaces and Art Room. All Hospice services are free of charge.
Referral into the service can be made by any healthcare professional and for patients, at home, it is with the agreement of their GP.
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Leaflets
More information about some of our services can be found in the leaflets below
Care for you and your loved ones
Medway Community Healthcare
The hospice is run by Medway Community Healthcare (MCH) who provide a wide range of high quality community health services on behalf of the NHS. Find out more on their website:
Supportive Care at the Wellbeing and Therapy Centre
The Wisdom wellbeing and therapy centre provides a wide and varied range of supportive and therapeutic activities for patients with a palliative diagnosis and also for their families.
The therapeutic activities include:
- Fitness for fun
- Art and Craft for Wellbeing
- Breathlessness management group
- Relaxation and reminiscence
- Information sessions
- Patient and carer groups
- Carer groups
- Fellowship, emotional support and access to others in a similar situation
- Referral to the multidisciplinary team
- Access to complementary therapies
- Pamper afternoons
The centre offers an 8 week, goal oriented programme for patients with a palliative diagnosis, with signposting to other community services. Referral can be made by any health professional involved in the patients care directly to the Wisdom Hospice.
Support with transport is possible. Patients and family members already known to Hospice services can self-refer by telephone on 01634 823583 or by email at wisdom.hospice@nhs.net
Pamper Afternoons
The free Pamper Afternoons offers patients complimentary therapies, including manicures, facials, massage and having their hair done. Afterwards they enjoy a Pimms Afternoon Tea.
Healthcare professionals
Referrals can be made to the service using the Online Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form.
You can also download a copy here
Symptom Control and Care Palliative Care Guidelines
For healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with incurable, progressive disease who are experiencing unpleasant symptoms