There are two hospices who offer end-of-life and bereavement support for people living in north east Essex.
Farleigh Hospice provides specialist care for people living in the Braintree district including Halstead and Witham who are affected by life-limiting illness to help them live with dignity and comfort
Services include:
- end of life care in the hospice
- practical, emotional and spiritual support
- specialist palliative care and symptom management
- physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- support through the Community Care Team and Hospice at Home Team
St Helena Hospice provides hospice and bereavement support for residents in Colchester and Tendring, helping people feel safe, comforted and cared for at every stage of their end of life journey. Care is offered both at the hospice and in people’s own homes, with additional support for families, friends and carers.
Hospice in the Home
Our Hospice in the Home team supports people in their usual place of residence, such as in their home, a care home or nursing home. These services exist to complement, other local health and social care providers such as GPs, community nurses and social services. We work very closely with our colleagues to ensure the best possible care is provided to local people facing incurable illness and bereavement.
This service also works closely with other health professionals to ensure everything feels coordinated and seamless.
Find out more about Hospice in the Home.
Inpatient Unit at Myland Hall, Colchester
Set in beautiful grounds in Highwoods, Colchester, the hospice inpatient unit provides comfortable accommodation in a mix of four-bedded bays and en–suite single rooms.
Our experienced team provides 24 hour specialist care for people who have complex needs that cannot be managed at home. Together with our volunteers, we provide person-centred care and holistic support within our unit for people aged 16 or over.
Find out more about Myland Hall Inpatient Unit.
SinglePoint 24/7 Advice Line
Our SinglePoint team will make an assessment over the phone and help people access the support they need when they need it. This might include arranging a visit, liaising with other teams within St Helena or signposting to other services, such as GPs, community nurses and out of hours doctors.
Find out more about the SinglePoint 24/7 advice line.
Home Ward
The Virtual Ward allows people to receive specialist monitoring and support at home, reducing the need for hospital admissions during the final stages of life. Specialist nurses and clinical teams keep a close eye on symptoms and wellbeing, helping people stay as comfortable as possible in the place they choose.
Find out more about Home Ward.
Emotional, psychological and spiritual support
Facing the end of life can be incredibly overwhelming, and St Helena offers gentle support for the whole family. Counsellors, social workers and pastoral staff provide emotional and spiritual care, helping people and their loved ones feel supported, understood and reassured throughout the journey.
Find out more about emotional, psychological and spiritual support.
Bereavement support
Grief affects everyone differently, and St Helena offers caring, non-judgemental bereavement support for adults, children and young people. This help is available even if the hospice was not involved in the person’s care. Support may include counselling, group sessions or signposting to further resources, depending on what feels right for each individual.
Find out more about bereavement support.
Paid-for bereavement counselling: Forget Me Not
For those who would like more specialist or extended support, Forget Me Not counselling is available as a paid-for option. It provides dedicated time with trained counsellors for people whose grief feels particularly complex or long-lasting.
Access paid-for bereavement counselling.
Planning ahead with My Care Choices
Talking about future wishes can bring peace of mind. The My Care Choices Register allows people to record how and where they would like to be cared for at the end of life. St Helena hosts this electronic register so that all health and care teams can access this information and support people in the best way possible.
Who can access these services?
Farleigh Hospice
Farleigh Hospice services for people living in the Braintree district including Halstead and Witham can be accessed through a referral from any healthcare professional. Self-referrals are also welcome.
If you need support, please contact the advice line at Farleigh Hospice on 01245 455 478. You can also visit the Farleigh Hospice website to find out more about making a referral and for updates regarding referrals for bereavement support.
St Helena Hospice
Support is available to adults living in Colchester and Tendring, who are living with an incurable or life-limiting illness, as well as to their families, friends and carers. Bereavement services are open to anyone in the area who has experienced a loss, regardless of where or how their loved one died.
People can refer themselves, or a healthcare professional can make a referral on their behalf. Bereavement referrals can be made from 12 weeks after a death. You can visit the St Helena Hospice website or call 01206 845 566.