Many people associate a hospice with the treatment of people who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. It is a place however that offers care and support for people who have been diagnosed with any life-limiting /terminal illness.
The support and care they offer is not limited to cancer patients only.
A hospice may really not be how you may imagine it to be. It is not all doom and gloom at all!
The staff, from the volunteers to the specialist nurses and doctors really do everything they can to make the darkest days brighter.
What services are available from a hospice?
They offer a wide range of services for patients and their relatives. These could include:
- Control of pain and symptoms
- Hospice at home
- Social support and psychological help
- Rehabilitation
- Physiotherapy and Occupational therapy
- Complimentary therapies
- Spiritual care
- Practical and financial advice
- Bereavement care
Maybe you have not visited a hospice before? It may be worth attending an open day to find out about the services your local hospice can provide. Follow the link below where you can see the locations closest to your home.
https://www.hospiceuk.org/about-hospice-care/find-a-hospice
Do you have to have treatment in a hospice as an in-patient?
Hospices can generally provide palliative care and “hospice at home” to enable you to remain there for as long as possible. Many also offer day-care and out-patient services. This enables you to access the facilities and care within the hospice. This could be medical and nursing care, rehabilitation, creative therapies and complementary therapies. By using the facilities on this basis you have the chance to meet and interact with other people in a similar situation.
People who are at the stage of needing end of life care may be admitted to as an in-patient. This is especially true when they have complex care needs or require intensive support.
Is hospice care part of a private health insurance policy?
We do not have to pay for hospice care in the UK. On this basis you would not need to obtain cover for it via your health insurance.
Many health insurance providers do offer cover palliative care/end of life treatment for their members. Some also offer a hospice donation should you spend time in a hospice as an in-patient for claims relating to cancer.
As a current example:
If you have your policy with Aviva and have an eligible claim for end of life treatment relating to cancer they will pay a hospice donation of £100 per day up to £10,000. Alternatively for nursing services by a nurse from a registered charity they will offer a charity donation of £50 per day to one charity – up to a maximum of £10,000.
If you would like to know about the cost of a private medical insurance policy or would like help with the renewal of your current health insurance policy, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team can offer you many years of experience within the health insurance sector. We can help you to understand the different elements of cover that are available.
Our contact details are:
Telephone: 01245 929129/ 0800 047 0127
Email: enquiries@smphealthcare.com