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.
