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"Primrose
has given me hope when I thought there
was none. I have learned and passed
on many survival tips regarding chemo
and have seen patients relax more."
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"People are wonderful
and very caring. I like coming here
and the care I am getting is wonderful.
What more can I say? Keep up the good
work". |
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"Everyone - volunteers
and staff - has time for you". |
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"Nurses always on the lookout to
help. Did not know what to expect
at first, but soon settled in on first
day." |
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As the name suggests,
Primrose Hospice offers day care mainly to patients
with cancer, but also with other life limiting
illnesses such as Motor Neurone Disease.
Generally, patients who attend
are well enough to be up all day, to travel to
the Hospice and to participate in activities during
the day.
Patients attending the Day Hospice
may do so for a number of reasons including:-
- Pain and symptom management
- Rehabilitation
- Emotional support
- Or to provide respite for
a carer
And will have access to a number
of different professionals including:-
- Qualified nurses, led by
a Clinical Nurse Specialist (similar to a
Macmillan Nurse)
- A Chaplain
- A Counsellor
- A Physiotherapist
- A team of Complementary Therapists
- Consultant in Palliative
Medicine
Support is also provided by a
group of volunteers who provide general help,
talking and listening to patients, serving drinks
and meals and sometimes providing a hand massage
or manicure.
A freshly cooked lunch is served
for a small charge and on most days there is the
opportunity to take part in art and craft sessions.
The Day Hospice is open to patients
Tuesday to Friday 10.30am to 3.30pm and if patients
have problems with transport, we can usually arrange
for one of our volunteer drivers to bring them
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Chaplain
Primrose’s resident Chaplain offers the opportunity for patients and their families to discuss any religious or spiritual issues they have in mind. The Chaplain does not seek to take the place of a patient’s own church and does not hold group services at the Hospice - patients set their own agenda.
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Counselling Service
For patients or family
members needing an empathetic ear, Primrose
Hospice and Cancer Help Centre offers a
free counselling service, working closely
with and as part of the multi-professional
specialist team.
Counselling provides the
opportunity to discuss, explore & work
with confusing thoughts and emotions in
a confidential manner, which can be especially
helpful at a time when our lives are affected
by serious illness or loss.
The counselling service,
led by a fully qualified counsellor, is
tailored to individual needs within the
resources available. All the counsellors
within the team are registered with the
British Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy (BACP) and working within
the BACP Codes and Ethics of Practice.
Each session is tailored
to individual needs and provides the opportunity
to discuss and explore confusing thoughts
and emotions at critical times in life.
Anyone who is interested
should contact the nursing team at the Primrose
Hospice and Cancer Help Centre on 01527 875444 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm , Mon-Fri,
to find out more or to arrange an appointment.
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Physiotherapy
Patients have access to
a fully equipped physiotherapy room and
qualified physiotherapist at Primrose Hospice.
The apparatus, which includes a rehabilitation
plinth, parallel bars, gym balls, weights
and mobility aids, help maintain function
and enabling of patients. Physiotherapy
sessions can improve mobility, reduce breathlessness
and respiratory disease symptoms, assist
neurological problems and help control pain.
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Complementary
Therapies
Receiving a diagnosis of a life threatening illness, such as Cancer, can be very distressing. The Primrose Hospice offers a complementary therapy service which works alongside the patient's medical treatments that they may be currently receiving. Complementary Therapy can help the patient to relax and enables the patient to cope with the stresses of their diagnosis.
Primrose works in partnership with Freshwinds, a charity which provides an integrated medicine approach to complementary therapies, for those living with a life threatening illness. Click here to visit Freshwinds’ own website.
All patients accessing the Complementary Therapy Service at Primrose will be assessed by the Therapy Coordinator and appropriate complementary therapy service will be offered that suits the individual's needs within a safe environment.
Our complementary therapists are fully qualified and are all volunteers. Our complementary therapy service is free of charge (except for homeopathic remedies for which a nominal £2.00 is payable) although donations are always welcomed.
Therapies available:
Reflexology
Aromatherapy
Reiki
Indian Head Massage
Therapeutic Massage
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Lymphoedema Service
Lymphoedema is a chronic progressive condition that is generally characterised by the swelling (oedema) of one or more limbs or other areas of the body. Whilst not curable, the condition can be treated and managed, especially if it is diagnosed in the early stages.
The condition can be primary or secondary. Cancer related lymphoedema is secondary and is caused through damage to the lymph nodes. In layman’s terms, if the lymph nodes are damaged or blocked, a swelling occurs, as the lymphatic fluid accumulates, instead of flowing around the body.
Primrose, along with other hospices in the area and the Macmillan Nurses, is able to offer a Lymphoedema Service as part of its range of county wide service.
Patients are referred to the service via Primrose’s physiotherapist, the District Nurses, GPs, and Macmillan Nurses and through contact with Primrose’s clinical team.
As well as offering advice to patients on positioning, exercise and skin care, the nurses are able to offer intensive courses of bandaging to reduce a particularly swollen limb, followed by measurement for compression hosiery and/or garments. The service also practices simple lymphatic drainage and manual lymphatic drainage where appropriate.
If you would like further information, please contact Primrose’s Care Team on 01527 871051. |
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