Most patients under the care of St Margaret’s are able to remain in their own home, supported by our extensive community services without coming into the hospice. There are five community teams supporting patients across Somerset, bringing the benefits of hospice care to those who can remain at home.
Expert clinical care comes from our multi-disciplinary team of doctors, community nurse specialists, multidisciplinary team assistants, physiotherapists, social workers, and occupational therapists. The team works closely with GPs, district nurses and other community health and social care workers. Our staff provide information and support to help patients understand their illnesses and to manage their symptoms, focusing on the person’s wishes and to improve their quality of life. They are also there to signpost to other services that may be useful, or simply to listen and to allow patients and carers to share their concerns. We have a 24-hour adviceline to use when needed 01823 333822 or 01935 709480.
The impact of living with a life-limiting illness affects families in many ways and we believe that social care support is a very important part of our work. Our hospice nurses and social workers can help organise advice on financial benefits and provide information about local support groups and other services available, such as St Margaret's Day Hospice at our two Sunflower Centres in Taunton and Yeovil. These both offer a full range of medical and social support to ensure patients and carers do not become socially isolated.
Sometimes a patient’s condition stabilises to the stage where there is no further need for our services. However, we encourage patients and families to contact us if their circumstances change and they need our help again – support is only a phone call away: 01823 333822 or 01935 709480
From first asking for help, the team were very quick to visit, to assess and to provide me with aids, support and advice. Each visit followed up by phone. For the first time in the year after terminal diagnosis, my husband and I felt we were no longer doing it on our own. I did not even know that I needed the aids and discovered that not only did they make managing easier but I was very surprised to find they also saved me 50% of my scarce energy on each task. Most of all each person who visited was priceless in explaining to me how to cope and of my condition and problems.