The thought of leaving the comfort of home at such a difficult time is naturally, we know, a daunting one. This is why we all work so hard to make sure that you are surrounded by caring professionals during your time with us.
At the heart of our care is a team of medical staff who specialise in the kind of care that will make you as comfortable as possible when staying with us. We know people find this round-the-clock expertise comforting because it is on hand and delivered one-to-one to suit your requirements.
All staff and volunteers wear name badges and will introduce themselves to you when you first meet. A nursing team member will plan your care while you are with us. As well as our specialist doctors, you may meet other qualified doctors who are with us to expand their knowledge or are training to specialise in palliative care.
Our hospices are thoughtfully designed to allow you to live normally with quiet areas, spiritual places and a garden to enjoy nature.
Each hospice has its chef and kitchen team who will cater to your needs and offer ‘a little of what you fancy’, with daily breakfast, lunch and supper choices to tempt you.
We know home comforts can make a difference so that you can bring those precious photos and flowers to your room, making staying with us a little more like home.
We also have accessible baths if you fancy a soak in the bubbles and extendable ‘cuddle beds’ so that you and a loved one can read, watch TV or just be together.
As well as patient bedrooms, each hospice has several indoor spaces where you and your family and friends can spend time together and easily access our beautiful hospice gardens.
In your room will be a copy of our Patient Handbook, which will provide you with much more detailed information about what to expect during your stay with us. Please ask a member of our team, if you can’t locate a copy.
We’re happy to help you with special occasions at our hospices; whether it be a birthday, anniversary, blessing or wedding, we aim to make the day special. Let our team know, and we’ll get working on it.
It could be getting out to watch your local football team play, watching a favourite film, taking a trip to the beach to feel the sand between your toes or having a video call with someone special – whatever it is, if it is essential to you, then it is important to us.
Visitors are always welcome to come and see you whilst you’re staying with us, though we ask that meal times and moments when care is given are respected. Please feel free to call either hospice for further information or see our Visiting the Hospice page.
We welcome children and grandchildren – we have family-friendly spaces and are happy to support you in talking with them about your illness. We also have close links with Penhaligon’s Friends – the children’s bereavement charity in Cornwall.
We’re happy for your furry friends to visit, too – just speak to our nursing team to arrange it. Local Pets As Therapy dogs also visit both hospices regularly and love to meet everyone.
At both hospices, our Patient and Family Support Services team are on hand to support you and your family, carers and friends whilst you are staying with us.
Our qualified counsellors aim is to offer person-centred emotional care, to ensure that the needs of you and your loved ones are addressed and met. They provide ongoing emotional support, signposting and maintain strong communication with community team members.
We look at prioritising your goals and working towards future care needs collaboratively, helping optimise your admission and helping inform subsequent referrals for care. This will also help you to maintain your autonomy and independence in a supportive environment, whilst able.
Our work also often encompasses assisting families to help support children that may be affected by terminal illnesses. We have resources available to help young ones experience a comfortable, welcoming environment when visiting a much-loved relative.
Our Little Bags of Kindness are provided for every patient on admission to our Mount Edgcumbe and St Julia’s hospices – a bag is placed in rooms on admission and are there for patients and their families.
Each bag contains items such as a hand made blanket and heart pillow, a glass heart, a Community Services flyer and an explanatory postcard.
If you are a keen knitter or crocheter and are able to donate small blankets to go in the bags we would love to hear from you!
For further information about the Little Bags of Kindness scheme, please call our Community Services team on 01726 829874.
“Thank you for looking after my husband and helping to manage his symptoms and discomfort. He felt incredibly safe with you.
We have been met with kindness in abundance and you have all renewed both of us. There is a peace and calmness at Mount Edgcumbe which begins with the lovely volunteers and continues through to the directors.
We are ready now to continue our journey.” (MEH Feedback Feb 2023)
“Words cannot express how grateful we are for the exemplary care you gave to our mum. We are humbled by the dedication, kindness and compassion shown to all of us. All the staff and volunteers are all wonderful.
Thank you for helping get mum home too. We will always be grateful and moved by everything you have done.” (MEH Feedback Feb 2023)
“I would like to thank your staff for all their care during my late partners final days with you, although she was not able to thank you herself, I know that your care and love helped her through those last few days.
Your work with patients in their final days and with their recuperation from illness is wonderful.” (SJH Feedback Feb 2023)
