Information for visitors

Visiting

You are welcome to visit at any time. During office hours and on weekend mornings our receptionists will ask you to wait before going to the ward. This gives them an opportunity to check with a nurse that it is an appropriate time to visit.
Mornings are often a busy time on the wards, as many patients choose this time to bathe, etc. Sometimes it is necessary to limit the number of visitors or visiting times. This would be done at the patient's request.

Patient Enquiries

Each patient has a trained nurse allocated to oversee their care. If you have any questions they will be happy to talk to you, with the patient's consent. At times it may be helpful for you to speak to a doctor. The nurse can arrange this, if needed. Please feel free to ring the hospice at any time.

Children

We try to encourage a peaceful, family environment and supervised children are very welcome to visit. We have a selection of toys for them to play with in the sitting room opposite room 9. We may also be able to find them a television to watch!

Pets

Patients' pets may be brought to the hospice to visit them if they wish. We would ask that this is discussed with the nursing team, so that other patients may be considered and arrangements made accordingly.

Staying the Night

We have some limited facilities for close family and friends, including children, to stay the night either by the bedside or in one of the sitting rooms. Please discuss your needs with the nursing team. Visitors' toilets are located in reception and there is an extra ladies' toilet next to the treatment room. If you have stayed the night, the nursing team will show you to the most appropriate washroom.

Quiet Space

Please feel free to use our chapel or conservatory. The chapel is on the left after room 9. The nursing team can direct you to the conservatory.

Telephones

When phoning the hospice, your call will be transferred to the appropriate nurse, using a bleep system. Your patience is appreciated as this process can take a few minutes. We have 2 portable phones, which can be taken to the patient's bedside for incoming calls. We also have a portable pay phone and a phone located in reception for patients/visitors to make external phone calls.

St Barnabas House phone number is 01903 264222.

Please ensure mobile phones are on silent mode and show consideration of other people when using them.

Meals

We are sorry but we can only provide meals for visitors under exceptional circumstances. However, if you have stayed the night we will be pleased to provide you with some toast and a hot drink.

We have a Coffee Shop in the reception area that sells sandwiches, cakes, snacks and drinks. Opening times are Monday to Friday, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. There is also a limited service at weekends.

There is a large Tesco supermarket 10 minutes walk from the hospice or you are very welcome to order a take-away meal to be delivered. The nursing team are able to provide you with some local phone numbers.

Please feel free to make hot drinks at any time. Coffee making facilities are available in the small sitting room opposite room 9.

The Day Hospice lounge is available on Mondays, evenings after 4.00 pm and weekends for visitors to use, when it is not in use for day patients. There is also a television and kitchen in this area.

Computer

There is a computer available for you to use with internet and email access. Please ask one of the nurses if you wish to use it.

Smoking

In accordance with our legal requirement to secure a smoke free environment, smoking is not permitted within the building or hospice grounds.

Car Parking and Transport

Car parking is available 24 hours a day in the visitors' car park. Durrington-on-Sea train station is approximately 1 mile away. There is a bus stop outside the hospice. Please let a member of staff know if you would like a map and directions to St Barnabas House.

Enquiries

Please ask a member of staff if you have any further enquiries not answered by this leaflet.