Goals of Macmillan Day Care

The aim of the Macmillan Day Care Unit is to achieve the best quality of care for patients with progressive illness who require specialist palliative care.

Each person will be respected as an individual with unique physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

Through the use of carefully planned activities, each individual can be encouraged and supported to realise their self-worth and potential for independent living. Support is also extended to carers and families.

After receiving your referral you will be contacted by telephone, and encouraged to visit Day Care with your family/carer before attending on a regular basis. This gives you a chance to see the unit and discuss with staff your needs and what Day Care can offer you. The number of days you attend will depend on your situation i.e. one or two days. A degree of flexibility will exist regarding the number of attendances per week, which may be adjusted according to individual/carer needs.

Day Care is open Monday-Friday from 10.00am to 3.30pm. You may wish to attend for a half-day. Time spent with us can be flexible. You will be offered tea and toast on arrival. An alcoholic drink is offered before lunch both of which are provided free of charge. If you require any special dietary needs these can be catered for.

If you travel to Day Care with a volunteer driver, it is very helpful if you can let us know as early as possible that you are not attending, to enable us to cancel your driver. We do, however, realise that this is not always possible.

You will be allocated a key worker who will be your main contact whilst attending Day Care. A review of your care will take place every three months, when future care, and aims for attending or discharge will be discussed. You will be fully involved in this decision process. Discharge will be discussed if your well-being improves or you become too unwell to attend.

If you have a District Nurse folder, we ask that you bring it each time to Day Care. This enables us to communicate with staff in the community, and vice-versa.

While attending Day Care your GP will still be in charge of your care, however our medical staff are available for specialist advice.

Staff within Day Care

Nurses

We act as your key person, responsible for assessing and reviewing your chosen care needs and aims whilst attending Day Care and work closely with other staff disciplines to co-ordinate this. The nurses can help you with any personal care or nursing procedures you may need and often assist the doctors during their consultation times.

We are available if you need to talk in confidence or seek advice and we aim to support you through your day care experience.

Rehabilitation Assistants

We work with the three disciplines of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing, carrying out pre-planned care which has been devised by the trained staff.

Occupational Therapists (OT)

Our aim is to help you achieve your highest possible level of independence with daily tasks which are identified by you as being important. This may include looking at self-care problems, carrying out tasks at home or social and leisure aspects of your life.

Physiotherapists

We will plan and carry out a treatment programme following an assessment in which your aims and expectations are identified. The assessment is usually carried out on an individual basis, however treatment can be arranged either on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting.

The aim of physiotherapy is to either improve or control symptoms which may be associated with your illness.

Doctors

Early in your attendance you will be seen by the medical staff for an assessment. After that the doctors will be available to discuss and/or treat symptoms related to your illness. However your own GP remains your initial point of contact.

Further information

Public Holidays

Day Care is closed on local and national public holidays.

Smoking Policy

There is a designated smoking room for patients only.

Medication

All your medication is still obtained from your GP. Prescriptions are only given at Day Care if new medication is prescribed by doctors at Day Care. This prescription will last long enough for your GP to be informed of the change and future supplies of this can be obtained from your GP.

Remember to bring your medication with you which you normally take during the day.

Bathing

A hydrotherapy bath is available for relaxation purposes.

Hand Care

Hand care/hand massage is available.

Snoezelen Room

There is a multi-sensory room, which patients can use to unwind, or have relaxation therapy.

Complementary Therapies

A range of complementary therapies are offered. Availability of specific therapies may vary depending on therapists available at given times. Please speak to staff if you are interested in complementary therapies.

Other services

Other professionals may be involved in your care e.g. dietician, pharmacist, Chaplain, family support. Please discuss with staff if you feel any of these services may be helpful.

Translation Information