ST LUKE'S HOSPICE WEST COAST-Our Services

St Luke’s Hospice West Coast is a non-profit community based organisation.

Our focus is on improving the quality of life of people suffering from incurable illnesses at an advanced stage.

No patient will be rejected on the basis of their race, religion, age, sexual gender or financial status.

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A 24 HOUR EMERGENCY OR NURSING SERVICE.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM BEFORE ACCEPTANCE . THIS REVIEW CAN AT TIMES TAKE UP TO THREE WEEKS.

St Luke's reserves the right to exclude admission or transfer patient if their needs are beyond the scope of our expertise or resources.

WHAT WE DO

We provide a service to respond to the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of individuals and their families when coping with an illness which no longer responds to curative treatment.

Our patients are assessed in a holistic way and their needs met wherever possible.

Our community sisters work in close liaison with general practitioners, hospital doctors, nursing agencies and are supported by a social worker and a team of trained volunteers who give support to patients and their families in their homes.

Usually a patient‘s doctor will refer them, however, patients (or relatives) may also apply themselves. The referral must be done with the patient’s permission and the patient must be fully informed about his/her disease and the advanced status thereof.

Receipt of these two forms confirms that both the patient and the doctor consent to be involved with the St Luke’s Hospice team.
Once both referral forms have been received, the patient will be contacted by the referral secretary to confirm receipt of the forms.

The Hospice sister will do an assessment of the patient and the disease process, and will discuss the prevailing circumstances in the home (e.g. care available to the patient etc.)

Our community nursing sisters coordinate the care of the patients in their own homes through regular visits.

During these visits they assist with, nursing needs, liaise with medical attendants regarding pain and symptom control and provide emotional support to the patient and their family.

A 10 bedded Ward is available at St Luke’s Hospice Kenilworth for respite and symptom control. This is a short term facility of up to 2 weeks.The ward provides a backup to our Community Service.

While visiting patients in their own homes our experienced social worker will offer support and assistance for the social, emotional and financial needs of the patient, and to their family in crisis.

WHAT COSTS ARE INVOLVED

Our services are available to all at no charge either to the patients or to their families. However, should a patient be a member of a medical aid scheme, an account will be submitted as most medical aid schemes include ''Hospice Benefits''.

This service includes the use of equipment.
We do require that ALL equipment be returned to our office when no longer needed by the patient.

THE AREAS WE COVER (Listed alphabetically)

Atlantic Beach, Big Bay, Bloubergrandt, Bloubergrise, Bloubergstrand, Brooklyn,
Century City, Dolphin Beach, Duynefontein, Flamingo Vlei, Lagoon Beach, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton, Milnerton Ridge, Morningstar, Parklands, Rugby, Sandrift, Summer Greens, Sunningdale, Sunset Beach, Table View, Tygerhof, Van Riebeckstrand, West Beach, West Riding, Woodbridge Island, Ysterplaat.

To access the services of St Luke's Hospice West Coast a patient must live within our area of operation.

These social mornings allow the patients to interact with one another and with trained volunteers and offers valuable support to the patients, we have found that a friendly chat over a cup of tea has a very positive effect.

At these gatherings patients partake in various activities, there are crafts or games to play and we have started an exercise routine which is very much appreciated. As a more relaxing option patients may enjoy a manicure or foot massage.

Our Community Sisters and Social Worker are available to the patients during these social mornings and approximately every six weeks the patients are visited by the Community Health Doctor.

BEREAVEMENT FOLLOW-UP
We have a trained Volunteer Bereavement team whose services, if required by the family, extend to a period of up to 13 months after the death of a loved one.

The care of the family does not end with the death of the patient and our bereavement team follows up with each family and supports them in their loss after the patient has passed away.

Every day is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul to the glad refrain.
And, spite of old sorrows
And older sinning,
Troubles forecasted
And possible pain,
Take heart with the day and begin again.