Day Care
The Day Care unit aims to help patients to promote their quality of life while continuing to live at home, and can help families by offering a
break from caring duties. The staff and volunteers offer supportive care in friendly and relaxed surroundings.
Transport to and from the Hospice is free, and many patients enjoy meeting new people and taking part in activities, as well as the home cooked
lunch. Special dietary requirements will also be catered for by the catering team.
St Cuthbert’s Day Hospice is currently open five days per week, and provides care for up to fifteen patients per session. Patients initially
attend Day Care for eight weeks, and their needs are re-assessed after this period.
The Day Hospice is staffed by qualified nurses, who along with other Hospice staff offer a range of services, including:
- Symptom control advice
- Emotional support
- Psychological support and counselling
- Chaplaincy
- Manicure and beauty treatments
- Art, craft work and ceramics
- Creative writing and access to computers
- Welfare rights advice
- Complimentary therapies
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational therapy
- Spiritual support
- Relaxation
For more information on our Day Care services, please click here.
Day Care is available to anyone over eighteen, who lives in Durham or Chester le Street. Referrals can be made by community or hospital based
medical staff, or by a patient or their family. In the case of self-referral, the patients needs will be discussed with their GP to ensure that
the Hospice can provide appropriate care.
“I look forward to coming here every Wednesday – it’s been a lifeline – it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me”,
Christine Taylor talking about her feelings about the Day Hospice at St Cuthbert’s.
Christine, who is better known as Nina, was diagnosed with cancer in June 2007, and has been attending the Day Hospice at St Cuthbert’s for the last
five months. The idea of coming to the hopsice was suggested by her MacMillan Nurse, who thought that the care and social activites would help aid her
recovery.
Nina from Bearpark was initially nervous about coming along to St Cuthbert’s, but after her first day has never looked back. She said “I love
coming to St Cuthbert’s – we sit and chat and we sometimes have a quiz - I’m not very good – but I enjoy taking part. We all went out on a trip last
week to the Metrocentre, which was great as I don’t get the chance to go out too often ... I was like a child looking in all of the shop windows!”
Talking about the Day Hospice she said “All of the staff and volunteers are very friendly and helpful, and have even helped me with paperwork I
haven’t been able to manage”.
Muriel Borradaile has been coming to the Day Hospice every week for the last two years, after becoming ill. She said, “Coming here is a boost
to my morale, it breaks up the week and it’s something to look forward to. I get picked up and dropped off at home, and I like the coffee and
scones we get when we arrive, and the meals are delicious.”
Muriel, from Chester le Street describes coming to the Hospice as like having a day out with friends. “There’s a very happy atmosphere, which
might surprise people. People don’t dwell on their illnesses, they talk and laugh a lot. We all look forward to seeing each other on a Wednesday”.
Muriel’s visits to the Hospice also mean that her husband John can have a break from caring, knowing that she is being looked after in a place
where she feels comfortable. She said “It’s a peaceful, tranquil place, not far from the main road but you can see squirrels in the garden
sometimes. It’s just what you need for a Hospice”.