Referral Forms
All patients accepted into our home care programme must be formally referred by their doctor, hospital or clinic. Referral forms are available from the referring doctor or by email via nursing@helderberghospice.org.za. It is important that all three forms are completed. The forms are:
- Medical form – to be completed by the patient’s Doctor/Specialist
- Personal information form – to be completed by patient or family member
Home Care is our core service
- Home Care is provided by professional Palliative Care nursing sisters and supported by social workers and volunteers.
- Working closely with the patient and family, the Interdisciplinary team develops a care plan for the patient’s well-being, pain management and symptom control.
- The plan outlines the response to areas of concern that are raised in discussions and is regularly updated to ensure high quality comfort and care throughout.
- A member of the Interdisciplinary team makes regular visits to assess the patient’s condition and provide additional care or other services.
- In addition, a professional Palliative Care nursing sister is contactable by telephone at any time. The patient’s own doctor is contacted for medical input and advice. All state patients referred to us are cared for under the medical guidance of our Palliative Care Doctors.
What if I need a full-time nurse?
This is when a patient requires additional 24-hour continuous nursing care at home. In these cases, we network with local nursing agencies to facilitate this. Good working relationships are maintained with all facility-care establishments and our social workers are experienced in facilitating future planning for care.