More beds at Highland Hospice

HIGHLAND Hospice will be increasing capacity at its inpatient unit by 20 per cent – from 10 to 12 beds.

The move is in response to demand on the unit which offers specialist palliative care aimed at improving the quality of life for people living with advancing and life-shortening illnesses.

Patients stay at the facility for a short time before returning home or to an alternative care environment for end-of-life care.

Kathryn Hamling, the hospice’s head of clinical services, said: “When we rebuilt our new inpatient unit in 2016 we designed it to accommodate 12 beds in nine single rooms and one shared room.

“On re-opening three years ago inpatient admissions were not growing so we remained a 10-bedded facility, as we had been since our original opening in 1988.

“Since then, we have seen an increase in demand for our inpatient care and have therefore taken the decision to operate as a 12-bedded facility.

“This will allow us to offer rehabilitation, respite and end-of-life care for up to 20 per cent more people every year.”

Referral to the hospice’s inpatient unit can be made by a Macmillan team member, GP or consultant. If you feel that you, or someone you know, could benefit from Highland Hospice’s inpatient care, speak to a healthcare professional.

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