We can help to ease your physical symptoms either at home, other places of care, as an outpatient at a clinic or at the hospice day support service. However sometimes you may need more specialist support from our team and may benefit from an admission to the hospice.
Short stays in our in-patient unit can give us the opportunity to assess your issues more easily. This allows us to put support in place and monitor the effect of the treatment more closely than if you were at home. The aim is that you will feel better as your symptoms will be more manageable, allowing you to have a better quality of life.
Ardgowan Hospice are delighted to announce a change to our patient visiting within the In-patient Unit (IPU) – often called the ‘ward’.
We understand that families and friends want to spend time with their loved one whilst they are being cared for in the hospice and we are therefore implementing an open visiting system. Our team will be happy to welcome you and facilitate you to visit throughout the day.
Whilst we want to encourage relatives and friends to visit, we are also mindful that our patients can sometimes get tired. For this reason, staff may at times advise those visiting to limit their time with a loved one in order to allow them to rest.
Mealtimes will remain protected, and we encourage you not to visit during these times, unless arranged in advance with the ward staff.
Protected mealtimes:
Breakfast 08:00-09:00
Lunch 12:30-13:30
Dinner 17:00-18:00
Changes to any of the above arrangements will be at the discretion of the nurse in charge.
Please be aware that there may be times when nursing staff might ask you to leave the ward. Often this is to allow them to provide care to your family member. We would ask that all visitors are respectful of this.
Sadly Covid-19 remains a significant part of our daily lives. Here at Ardgowan hospice we require all visitors to provide evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test, which must have been taken within 24 hours of their visit, prior to admission to the IPU. If necessary, testing can be completed on-site.
Wearing of a face mask in and around the IPU remains mandatory except whilst eating and drinking. We ask that all visitors continue to wear their face covering (unless there is significant reason they cannot do so), gel their hands upon entering and leaving the IPU and maintain social distancing.
- Nightclothes
- Clothes to get changed into if you are normally up and dressed during the day
- Underwear
- All medications you are currently taking
- A few favourite photos or things to make your surroundings a little more personal
- Books or magazines if you like to read
- Mobile phone/tablet and charger
- Headphones
Patient confidentiality is of paramount importance to us. We also recognise and understand that visitors and family members may wish to be kept informed of a patient’s progress. We will always seek permission before any information is shared. We will however share information with other team members to ensure holistic care and with other professionals involved in the patients care for continuity unless the patient states otherwise. We also comply with data protection legislation and medical confidentiality guidelines.
Every care is taken to protect patients from contracting preventable infections. We advise all staff, patients and visitors to wash their hands with our special alcohol gel on entering and leaving any clinical areas and also to use the hand washing technique shown at each sink when washing their hands with soap.
We also carry out audits on activities such as hand hygiene, waste, safe environment and sharps safety. This ensures that all staff adhere to Hospice Infection Prevention and Control policy and National guidance
We have a great catering team at the hospice who will strive to meet your dietary requirements.
Please click here to learn more about our catering team Catering – Ardgowan Hospice
The main hospice building is situated on Nelson Street, just across from the Westburn Church. The Access at Ardgowan building is situated on the corner of Ardgowan Street and Nelson Street, just across from the Greenock Sheriff Court.
There is a ramp entrance to the front of both hospice buildings. There is also a lift to access patient areas in the Access at Ardgowan building.
There is on street parking available on the streets surrounding both hospice buildings. We are also close to bus stops on Nelson Street and we are a short walk away from Greenock West train station.