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Hospice Line

Hospice Line is a free, 24-hour telephone support service for patients, their families, carers and other healthcare professionals. Delivered in partnership by St Michael’s Hospice and St Wilfrid’s Hospice.

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What Hospice Line provides

Hospice Line provides specialist palliative care advice, support and reassurance for patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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24-hour support

Advice, reassurance and practical support available day and night, wherever it’s needed.

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For everyone involved

Support is available for patients, families, carers and the health and care professionals involved in a person’s care.

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Specialist palliative care experts

Calls are answered by a team trained in palliative care, who can help with everything from symptom management and medication questions to emotional support, end of life care concerns and clinical queries.

Our catchment area

We care for people from across Hastings and Rother. From Camber in the east to Ticehurst in the north, Little Common and Cooden in the west, and everywhere in between.

How to find us
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Frequently asked questions

Hospice Line is our 24-hour support service for patients, family members, carers and health and care professionals. Our dedicated team provides prompt, consistent support, with expert and compassionate advice and practical help. This can include reviewing medication and arranging urgent prescriptions over the phone. The team supports thousands of people, many of whom tell us Hospice Line is a lifeline.

Hospice Line is available to patients of St Michael’s Hospice and St Wilfrid’s Hospice, as well as their family members, carers and the health and care professionals involved in their care. Patients must live in and be registered with a GP in Eastbourne, Seaford, Hailsham, Heathfield, Uckfield, Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill, Battle or rural Rother.

Calls are answered by trained clinical administrators and healthcare assistants with specialist palliative care training and experience supporting patients, families and carers. They listen to the caller’s concerns, talk through the situation and provide clear advice and reassurance. Where more specialist clinical support is needed, a specialist palliative care nurse or paramedic can be involved quickly. Calls are recorded to help maintain a high-quality service, and details are added to the patient’s clinical record. An AI-assisted medical scribe may be used to help create this record.

Hospice Line can provide support with:

  • managing symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, nausea or vomiting,
  • reassurance and emotional support when things feel difficult,
  • support for carers and families,
  • guidance when someone is dying, including what to expect and how to cope,
  • signposting or referrals to other helpful services,
  • and advice for health and social care professionals, including clinical queries.

Support is available whenever concerns arise, there’s no need to wait until things become very difficult.

Hospice Line can be contacted about any concern, big or small. There’s no need to wait until a situation becomes difficult or urgent before getting in touch.

Hospice Line can be contacted when:

  • Symptoms have changed or are not under control.
  • There is uncertainty about what to do or something does not feel right.
  • Advice or reassurance is needed, even if the concern may not seem important.
  • A carer needs support, guidance or someone to talk the situation through with.

Whatever the reason, calling Hospice Line is never a bother. Getting in touch early can make things easier and safer for everyone involved.

Yes. Hospice Line can be used wherever the patient is being cared for, including at home, in a care home or while staying elsewhere.

There may be busy periods when the team cannot answer immediately, particularly in the mornings. If this happens, please try again a little later.

For urgent medical help or advice, contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

Hospice Line

Here to help you, all day, every day. Call us on 03301 272161.

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Contact us

Need to get in touch? Contact us by email, phone or post, or fill in the form and we’ll make sure your message reaches the right team.

info@stmichaelshospice.com
01424 445177
25 Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards On Sea, East Sussex, TN38 0LB

Trusted by leading healthcare organisations

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