2. Do you provide inpatient or respite care?
No; we are unable to provide these services at present but are planning to expand our services with a new purpose built hospice, which will eventually include beds.  For further information about our Capital Campaign, please contact 01485 543163 or 544117 or email marc.stowell@norfolkhospice.org.uk.

3. What is The Norfolk Hospice?
The Norfolk Hospice is an independent charity and registered company by guarantee. It is run by a Board of Trustees and the leadership and management is delegated to the Chief Executive and the Senior Managment Team. The Hospice provides specialist palliative care services, offering people with a life limiting illness (not just those with cancer) the opportunity to live life as fully as possible and those close to them the opportunity of support.  The staff and trained volunteers at the Hospice are experienced in the control of symptoms and the needs and concerns of those living with cancer, advanced progressive neurological and other life limiting illnesses.  They are able to help with the physical, emotional, practical and spiritual concerns of each patient and provide support for their family and friends.

4. Is the Hospice just for the very ill or dying?
When hospices first started, most of their work was for people in the last months of life.  Now the expertise in controlling pain and other symptoms is used much earlier in people's illness, sometimes from diagnosis, to improve their quality of life.

The Norfolk Hospice has a team of qualified nurses and therapists and trained volunteers that work with patients and their families to control difficult symptoms and be alongside patients and families through the difficult times. 

Many of the patients using our services do so for a period of time until their symptoms have improved or their concerns alleviated.

5. What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a term used where the aim is to meet all the needs of the patient - physical, emotional, practical and spiritual – and to improve the quality of life, not just for the patient, but for family and close friends.  

6. What is Hospice Care?
Palliative care is for people whose illness may no longer be curable
It enables them to achieve the best possible quality of life especially during the final stages of their illness
It provides family support and a bereavement service
It may be provided at home, in hospital or in a hospice or nursing home
It considers the whole person and offers physical, emotional and spiritual care
It tries to meet the needs of people of all cultures and communities

7. Is it a sad place?
Although there are sad times, most people who visit the Hospice find there is a cheerful, warm and welcoming atmosphere. It is often referred to as a place "full of life" and a "safe place to be myself".

8. Do you have to pay?
No. All services at the Hospice are provided free of charge.  We receive a small grant from the NHS but have to raise well over 85% of our funds each year from voluntary donations and charitable trusts. 

If patients or their relatives feel able to make a contribution towards our running costs, this is much appreciated.

In some cases people have health insurance and these schemes may consider a contribution towards meeting the costs of a patient’s care. This is usually only for bedded units.

9. How are people referred to the Norfolk Hospice?
The Hospice works closely with local GPs, District Nurses and health and social service colleagues. We meet regularly with the Palliative Care Consultant in oncology and the Macmillan Team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn.

Most patients are referred to the Hospice by their doctor, nurse or social worker.  However, patients, their families and their friends are always welcome to contact us directly.  Just call us and our Director of Care or a senior member of the care team will contact you to discuss how our services might help.  Telephone 01485 543163.

You may wish first to discuss your concerns with your GP or district nurse or other health carer and they can make a referral to the Hospice or you may wish to contact us directly to discuss whether we may be able to help you.

10. What happens after referral?
An initial appointment for assessment is arranged with one of the nursing team, during which the patient - and their carers - will be able to discuss how we can help.  This may be arranged at your home as an outpatient appointment or at the Hospice.  Day therapy, hospice outpatients or home support may then be arranged according to the needs of the individual.

11. Who does the Norfolk Hospice care for?
The Norfolk Hospice looks after people with cancer or other serious illnesses such as motor neurone disease, heart failure and other advanced neurological illnesses.  Everyone is welcome at the Hospice, whatever their background.

12. How do staff cope?
The Norfolk Hospice’s philosophy is to support and develop its staff and volunteer team.  We acknowledge it can be a stressful place to work so all staff and volunteers are offered individual or group support.

13. What geographical area does the Norfolk Hospice cover?
The Hospice, at present, provides day therapy, outpatient care and home support for the population of West and North Norfolk and the neighbouring part of The Fens.  We are extending our services to provide a range of specialist palliative care community-based services for a population of up to 300,000. We work closely with the NHS, Social Services and other related charities.

14. Is there an Outpatient Service?
Yes, we have some outpatient services for patients who are referred for assessment, for counselling, for bereavement support and for information or welfare advice regarding social and financial issues.  We also run a lymphoedema clinic in association with the Primary Care Trust (Norfolk NHS)

15. Who attends the lymphoedema clinic?
Patients with lymphoedema (severe excessive swelling) regardless of whether the condition is cancer related or not, are assessed by our lymphoedema nurse, who is employed by Norfolk NHS. 

16. How does the Norfolk Hospice support families and friends?
Our family support service provides support and short-term counselling to partners, family and close friends, offering them help to come to terms with their grief or change of circumstances.

Advice and help to deal with social and financial issues are also available.

17. Is the Norfolk Hospice a religious place?
The Norfolk Hospice welcomes everyone, of all faiths and none.  Our concern is to respect the wishes and needs of patients, families and friends and to value the spirituality of everyone.
A volunteer chaplain is part of the multi-disciplinary team and we welcome other visiting ministers, who are available to give support to patients and family members. We are also pleased to contact leaders of any denomination or faith. We hold occasional services at the Hospice and some special services throughout the year.

18. Can I volunteer to help?
Yes, we have over 150 volunteers who help us part-time in a wide range of activities, from supporting the care staff and collecting patients from their homes, to helping with hospitality, administration and reception, working in the charity shops, to fundraising.  For further details, please contact the Volunteer Services manager on 01485 543163.

19. Do you have any fundraising support groups?
Yes, we have a number of volunteer fundraisers who work together in order to assist in raising the funds required to provide our services.  Our Community Fundraising Groups are in their infancy and we have ambitions to develop a number of groups to focus on geographical areas, namely King’s Lynn, Downham Market, Fakenham, Hunstanton, Wells, Wisbech and Swaffham. Should this be of interest to you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

20. I would like to help but I can only spare an hour or two occasionally?
We have occasional fundraising activities such as collections or events at the Hospice where we need willing people for only an hour or two on a rota basis. For further details, contact our Fundraising Team on 01485 542891.

21. How do I make a donation?
You can make a donation in person at the Hospice or by post (please make cheques payable to the Norfolk Hospice).  You can also make donations by telephoning us on 01485 542891 or online via the Donate Online Today button just below the menu on the left of every page (this links through to the Just Giving Website). If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider donating via a Donation Envelope (available at the Hospice or at the Fundraising Office) and when you complete the Gift Aid Declaration section, this will enable us to reclaim the tax you have paid at no extra cost or bother to you.

22. Becoming a Friend of the Hospice
The “Friends of the Norfolk Hospice” group was established  to mark our 25th Anniversary of the Hospice and to encourage people who are able to give a regular donation. For further information, please contact the Director of Fundraising on 01485 542891.

More information is available from the About Us page.