Day Services

To gain access to most of the services offered by St John's Hospice, you need to be referred by a medical consultant, GP or specialist palliative care nurse through completion of our referral form.

Day Services at St John's Hospice provides specialist palliative care, a complementary therapy program, a range of health related outlets and resources, and creative activities to access in a safe and supportive environment. People are welcome to attend at all stages of their illness; when newly diagnosed, in treatment, living with symptoms of their illness and when requiring specialist care input and advice. Our aim is to help individuals manage their conditions more effectively and improve overall quality of life.

Day Services offers an initial placement of up to 12 weeks. Everyone admitted to day services undergoes an assessment and is allocated a designated staff member to support them in developing a personal care plan aimed at setting achievable outcomes and creating a structured programme based on needs. This program is subject to ongoing reviews by the client, day services staff and in our multi-disciplinary team meetings which are attended by doctors, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. 

The Centre is open from 1000 to 1700 on week days with the exception of Wednesday (when outpatient clinics and group programs are scheduled). Your choice of which days to attend and how you utilise programs and services may depend on medical and personal commitments, your wish for privacy and confidentiality with regard to personal preference, diagnosis, treatment etc.

Our services are mainly divided into two specific programs within the week. However flexibility and choice are very important in selecting the most appropriate day and times to attend. Mondays and Thursdays are mainly but not exclusively attended by people with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS who tend to be of the age range of 25 - 65. The Tuesday and Friday program is generally but not exclusively attended by people with a diagnosis of cancer, and while they tend to be older, the age range of those attending is very broad.

Whilst attending, a range of the following services can be accessed:

• Monitoring in relation to: medications, treatment processes and options, changes in routine / structure, substance use/ abstinence, and follow-through on appointments;
• Help in establishing a suitable routine and structure; focusing on maintaining a commitment to individual and group programs, sessions and activities, preparing for access to college and further education, looking at returning to work, and volunteering opportunities;
• Setting out specific and achievable objectives and monitoring progress and change;
• Help with accessing and establishing a professional support network; and additional medical and clinical resources in the community;
• Encouraging positive change; (re)building a sense of confidence and well-being through establishing personal & social structure and wellness routines, including exercise and relaxation programs on an individual and group basis;
• Accessing Complementary therapies (including massage, reiki, reflexology and acupuncture) to relieve physical and psychological symptoms and aid in the management of pain, mobility, depression, anxiety and stress; and 
• Social interaction; many people become socially isolated, have minimal community support and few relationships, and will have experienced significant loss / multiple losses.

Transport (a 6 seated ambulance with wheelchair access) is provided for people who have poor mobility or experience other difficulties using public transport.

People are discharged from Day Services when either their needs are met or their continuing needs can be met in the community by clinical and social care teams.

Please contact the Day Services Centre at St John's Hospice on 020 7806 4038 or email hospice.info@hje.org.uk.