How we help
We aim to prevent and relieve suffering by early identification and treatment of pain and other problems using a holistic approach, and provide the physical, psychological, social and spiritual support our patients and their families need.
Any patient with end of life care needs within our hospital can be referred by the medical and nursing team looking after them.
It is occasionally appropriate for a patient or carer to make a direct referral and in that case the Palliative Care Team will liaise with the ward or area concerned.
Support from the team will often include:
- pain and symptom management
- support with discharge planning
- psychological and emotional support
- education of staff
End of life care
Some patients will always die in hospital, either by choice or necessity, and we take the provision of care to patients at the end of their lives very seriously. We work very closely with our community colleagues to ensure that wherever possible the co-ordination of care enables the patient to die in their place of choice.
We are here to support both the patient and their carers with respect and dignity at all times. Although every member of the multi-disciplinary team is responsible for the provision of excellent care, the hospital palliative care team take responsibility for the development of services and education. We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone and can appear to be very confusing.
We encourage families and carers to ask staff for support and information if they feel it is lacking, as we know staff will do their best to provide the correct level of care and will ask for support from the palliative care team if the situation is beyond their skill or experience. Please do ask our team for the booklet “The End of Life… and understanding the changes that occur.” This explains what happens to an individual when they are dying and how you might best support them.
Where we are
Worthing and St Richard’s Hospital
We have a team of nurse specialists on each site supported by the medical teams from St Barnabas House Hospice in Worthing and St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Chichester.
We have close working relationships with all the community palliative care providers in the area and we greatly value their support to our hospital teams:
St Richard's Hospital
St Richard’s Hospital
01243 831789
St Richard’s Hospital
01243 788122
Ext. 2819
Monday to Friday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
‘A Friend in Need’ volunteer programme
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be working in partnership with the Anne Robson Trust charity and funded by Friends of Brighton & Hove Hospitals to create a volunteer service focused on supporting people nearing the end of their life.
‘A Friend in Need’ is volunteer-based programme aimed at providing compassionate companionship and support to patients approaching the end of their life at Royal Sussex County Hospital. No one deserves to die alone, and this initiative is designed to enhance the patient experience and offer emotional support to visitors during a challenging time.
Trained volunteers offer:
- Companionship: Spending time with patients, offering a listening ear, and providing a friendly presence.
- Respite for visitors: Offering breaks to visitors and loved ones by sitting with patients, allowing them time for rest or personal needs.
- Emotional support: Providing a comforting presence and offering a listening ear to both patients and their visitors.
- Practical support: Assisting with minor tasks as requested, such as fetching drinks or reading to patients.
To learn more about the service and to make a referral, contact Lou Ikiua, ‘A Friend in Need’ – End of Life Care Volunteer Coordinator at: lauaki.ikiua@nhs.net
Charity Registration details: The Anne Robson Trust Reg Charity No: 1178352