All ACCORD services are FREE of charge - as a charity we are supported by the community through fundraising and donations and the Health and Social Care Partnership.

ACCORD's Inpatient Unit provides specialist treatment for people living with prgoressive life limiting and life threatening illnesses who have complex care needs. The unit is staffed and supported by health and social care professionals including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors and a social worker.

We work together to provide an individualised treatment plan of care for everyone we look after.

• For some people, their care plan will enable them to return home
• Others nearing the end of their life may benefit from the care the Inpatient Unit can provide
• There will be some people we care for who may not be well enough to return home after we have improved their symptoms. However, they may also no longer need the specialist care we provide, in these situations we assist in finding more appropriate place of care such as a care home.

We receive referrals requesting admission from General Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists and the Hospital Palliative Care Teams. Those people who would benefit from a period of Inpatient care will be placed on our waiting list, discussed at our daily bed meeting, with arrangements for admission made once a bed is available.

On admission to ACCORD you will meet the members of our team who will get to know you and with your input, work out the best plan of care to improve your symptoms and quality of life.

• Helping to make you more comfortable from symptoms such as pain, tiredness or breathing difficulties
• Helping you to maintain your independence, so you can continue to do things for youself as long as possible
• Offering emotional and spiritual support to both yourself and family members
• Assisting in directing you to information and services to help out with financial concerns, social benefits and equipment needs.

Some people come to stay in the Hospice during the final stages of their illness; others come just for a short time, for example to manage their symptoms and then return home. The average length of stay for someone admitted for symptom control is two weeks.

Throughout your stay we aim to keep both you and your loved ones updated on your wellbeing and plan of care. After one week in our care, we find this is the most beneficial time to discuss care and progress to date.

We require to be respectful of the wishes and confidentiality requested by each patient. We will therefore only discuss your condition and care with your permission, even if the relative is a next of kin.