Useful Links

• Mosaic
• Wessex Cancer Trust
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• Cruse
• Bournemouth Hospital Charity
• Poole Hospital Charity
• Citizens Advice

Inpatients & Outpatients

Inpatients

Forest Holme has twelve beds and Macmillan Unit has sixteen beds. This enables us to provide expert care to people with advanced disease causing complex problems. We aim to be relaxed and flexible and to be open to questions and suggestions. Nursing care is tailored to the individual’s needs and wishes and friends and relatives are always welcome to assist if they wish.

Both the Macmillan Unit and Forest Holme Hospice have a team of staff nurses, led by a ward sister, along with doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and counsellors. They also have access to other healthcare professionals across UHD that may visit.

Everyone who is admitted to one of our hospices is under the care of one of the consultants in palliative medicine, and there are also specialty doctors and junior doctors available that will review patients regularly. You will see a doctor shortly after you arrive and on most week days. At weekends there is a doctor available on call.

We have good links with the pain team and other hospital specialists who give helpful advice when needed.

Visitors are welcome any time, but as visiting can be tiring, it is often better to limit the number of visitors at any one time and encourage people not to stay too long. Children of any age are welcome and well behaved pets may also visit.

Outpatient clinics

Both hospices have facilities to see patients in clinic. Patients can be seen either by a doctor, or a specialist nurse or other professional.

Once a patient has been referred you will be contacted within a few days of your referral being received to arrange an outpatient appointment.

New patients are normally offered a copy of their clinic letter from their consultation, which will be sent to them within a few days of the appointment.  Studies have shown that it can be very difficult to remember everything that has been said during an outpatient appointment, and this gives our patients a way of reviewing what has been discussed. Some people also use the letter to help explain to other family members what took place at the consultation.

Outpatients can be supported at home between appointments, if required, by the community specialist palliative care team.

Day centres

Unfortunately, day centres are closed due to the COVID pandemic and online alternatives may be offered.

The Macmillan Day Centre is open Monday to Thursday 9.30am-3.30pm and most people attend once a week. The period of time people attend for is reviewed on a case by case basis and depends on individual needs.

At the Day Centre we offer ceramic painting, quizzes, sewing, relaxation, complementary therapies, and other crafts. We also have access to physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

We provide respite care for families and carers and relief from social isolation by providing opportunities to socialise, share experiences and offer mutual emotional support. Our hope is that you will enjoy the positive and relaxed atmosphere and will feel accepted as a person rather than as a patient.

Our staff includes two nurses, two healthcare assistants and an activities co-ordinator.

Forest Holme does not have its own Day Centre. Many people who are under the care of the palliative care services also attend day care once a week at Lewis Manning House, which is independent charity situated in Longfleet Road, very near to Poole Hospital. 

Patient Information

Information available to patients

We try always to give our patients as much information as they need. In addition, information about diseases and their management is available from a wide variety of sources, including the trust's own Health Information Centre and also other organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support.

In addition we have a variety of leaflets available to explain the services that we provide.

For the Macmillan unit Inpatient Leaflet click here. Macmillan Caring Locally

For the Forest Holme information booklet click here 

Using information

Recording information 

To ensure we give you the best care possible, it is important that we are able to record information about you.

Palliative care records are stored as part of your electronic patient record, on a special electronic form which has been designed for this purpose. This electronic patient record is used at Forest Holme Hospice, Poole Hospital, Bournemouth Hospital and the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital, and by the community teams based at Forest Holme Hospice and the Macmillan Unit.

Your palliative care record includes details such as your name, address, date of birth, medical conditions and any medications you are taking. We also use the electronic record to make a note of any wishes you have made known regarding care towards the end of your life - where you would prefer to be cared for, and anything else which is important to you.

By making notes in this way, we are able to provide a high standard of care which is tailored to your individual needs and preferences.

If you have any questions about how your information is used contact one of the team.

Sharing information

The medical team looking after you in hospital or in clinic will be able to view the palliative care notes in the electronic patient record.

Your GP and district nurse may be able to view this information if they have received training in using the University Hospitals Dorset electronic patient record. Some staff may also be able to access your GP records if consent has been given.

With your consent, we would like to be able to share this information with relevant other professionals, only if needed to help provide care for you. For instance, if you are known to or referred to another palliative care service, it would help them to help you if they can view your palliative care record.

Your information is personal to you and remains confidential. We never share your personal information with commercial companies.

If you have any questions or concerns about the way your information is recorded or shared, please ask your palliative care key worker - for example your community palliative care nurse or doctor.

Spiritual Support

Individuals from any religious denomination or that do not have a faith can be supported by the specialist palliative care service. We are supported by the UHD Hospital Chaplaincy team to provide spiritual support no matter what your faith.

There is a Chapel located next to the Macmillan Unit that offers a haven of peace for anyone wishing to use it, regardless of religious beliefs. This is also where the Macmillan Unit Chaplain is based.