Frequently Asked Questions:

• Do the St Catherine’s doctors take the place of my GP or hospital consultant?
• If I am under the care of one of the St Catherine’s Community Nurses, how often will I see a doctor from the Hospice?
• Which members of the medical team will I meet if I am admitted as an in-patient?
• If I am an in-patient, is a doctor always available?
• Can one of your doctors come out and see me at home, at night or at the weekend? 

Do the St Catherine’s doctors take the place of my GP or hospital consultant?

No.  We think it is very important that your GP remains in charge of your medical care when you are at home.  We work closely with him or her and may suggest that he/she prescribes medicines for you. 

We liaise closely with the doctors looking after you in hospital but you remain under their care unless you are admitted as an in-patient onto one of our wards.

If I am under the care of one of the St Catherine’s Community Nurses, how often will I see a doctor from the Hospice?

It depends on your medical needs.  You may see a doctor from St Catherine’s soon after you are referred.  The doctor may arrange to see you again at home or as an outpatient at the hospice.

Your St Catherine's community nurse works closely with the medical team.  We hold regular team meetings when we may discuss the problems you are experiencing, in order to suggest options which may help.

If you, your community nurse or GP think it would be helpful, then we can arrange for one our doctors to review you either at home, when you attend day hospice or as an outpatient.

Which members of the medical team will I meet if I am admitted as an in-patient?

You will meet with one of the members of the medical team on the day of your admission. They will discuss your current problems, examine you and agree the initial plan with you.

The registrars and ward doctors provide day to day medical care of in-patients. 

The consultants do ward rounds twice a week and can arrange to see you or your relatives at other times if necessary. 

We also liaise closely with your GP and hospital consultants.

If I am an in-patient, is a doctor always available?

There is nearly always a doctor on site at the hospice during normal working hours. 

There is always a doctor on call during evenings and weekends.  They will see you if your condition changes or you develop new problems.  The doctor on call is able to contact a consultant for advice if necessary.

Appointments may also be made for the relatives of in-patients to see a doctor at evenings or weekends if they are unable to visit during normal working hours.  This does need to be arranged in advance so please ask them to telephone beforehand.

Can one of your doctors come out and see me at home, at night or at the weekend?

We cover a very large geographical area and our doctors are not able to visit you at home outside normal working hours.  However you can telephone us for advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in hospital, the team looking after you will also be able to telephone for advice at any time.