• Patients & Families
• In-Patient Unit & visitor guidelines

Visitor Guidelines

(Updated June 2022)

COVID 19 remains a real threat for the people we care for. Although there has been a loosening of restrictions, we will be continuing with IPC (Infection Prevention Control) requirements to ensure the protection of the people who use our services and our staff.

Our current arrangements are as follows for patients, visitors and service users:

• There is no limit on the number of visitors a patient can have while staying on the In-Patient Unit. However, currently only two people at a time can visit a patient. It is expected that this restriction will soon be lifted.
• We request that visitors to the In-Patient Unit have a negative Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) within 24 hours of their first visit. Subsequent visits will require a negative LFT result within 72 hours of the visit. Test results should be registered on the government website and proof of a negative result shown to Reception. Test kits will be provided where required, to support compliance.
• Service users and patients attending the Well are also required to show proof of a negative Lateral Flow Test within 72 hours of their visit. Test kits will be supplied to aid compliance, where required.
• All visitors are required to wear clinical face masks at all times, including in corridors, shared areas and whilst in patient rooms. Masks will provided at reception and should be discarded in the yellow bin at the entrance.
• The requirements for hand sanitisation and social distancing also remain in place. Pease remember hands, face and space at all times.
• If you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change in your sense of smell or taste, or you are self-isolating, please do not visit.

Thank you for your support to keep us safe. These measures are vital to help ensure we protect our patients who are extremely vulnerable, as well as our staff and volunteers.

We will continue to review our visitor guidelines in line with Government guidance and we will relax restrictions further as soon as we feel it is safe to do so.

Our In-Patient Unit offers specialist, compassionate care

We are here to continue to care for you or loved one,  24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In our In-Patient Unit (IPU) we deliver personalised care to suit your individual needs and we take the time to find out what’s important to you. Our highly trained, compassionate specialists can help to relieve your symptoms, keep you as active as you can manage, keep you comfortable and help relieve any pain.

You will stay in one of our private bedrooms that are light and airy and may even overlook the beautiful Willen Lake.  The atmosphere is calm and relaxing. Our doctors and nurses are known by their first names. They’ll  look after you, with back up from our housekeeping and catering team who cook delicious meals on site. We also have a team of dedicated, caring volunteers who help across the whole unit. We do not have a family room at present as this has been adapted to be a patient room while we have limited bed space due to our current building works. Please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01908 663636 if you need support or information.

Being referred

You or your loved one can be referred to a Willen Hospice service by any healthcare professional, including a GP, Hospital Consultant, District Nurse or Social Services from Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

If you’re an adult over 18, with a life limiting illness, you may be referred to us for specialist complex symptom control, including pain relief and management of distressing symptoms that are a result of your illness or treatment. You can be referred to either our In-Patient Unit or Willen at Home team, if you prefer to receive care in your own surroundings. Our calm, compassionate care is centred around your needs and those close to you.

Download our Referral & Admissions Policy below, for guidance on accessing all of our services. If you are a medical professional, find out how to refer your patient to Willen Hospice.

Advice Line

This telephone advice line is for clinical matters only and is to support patients, relatives and professionals outside office hours and at weekends. You can contact the team on: 01908 306962. It is a telephone advice line only and we regret that we are unable to go out and visit patients. There is an option to leave a message and someone will get back to you at the earliest opportunity.

If you feel you need to be seen in an emergency out of hours, we advise you to call 999.

Your stay

The Hospice is set alongside the stunning location of Willen Lake. The view can be enjoyed from our Lakeview Room, where comfy sofas, tea & coffee making facilities and binoculars are available.

Visitors

There are no set visiting hours. Your friends and loved ones can visit and stay as long as they want to within our specified Covid-19 requirements.

Our gardens are beautiful and tranquil, with paths and several benches. They are available for patients and visitors to use throughout the year.

Each room is well-equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free.

The rooms include a television with built-in DVD player that can receive both television and radio channels. You are welcome to use one of our CD players to listen to music. A selection of newspapers are delivered daily. Free WiFi is available throughout our Hospice.

Advance Care Planning

Well laid plans can give you and your loved ones peace of mind. You can record your wishes for your future or end of life care in an Advance Care Plan which others can refer to if they need to make decisions on your behalf.