Services and Day Care at Great Oaks

Great Oaks is developing palliative care programmes and supportive care services according to the needs of the community.   We currently offer the following:

Supportive Care Services

Supportive care is for:  

  • Those recently diagnosed and currently undergoing treatment that is leaving them emotionally and physically exhausted,
  • Carers coping with the daily needs of family and friends who are seriously ill
  • Bereaved carers coming to terms with their loss

Our Family Support Department can offer help and support that may include:  



Access to Services

You can be referred to us by any health or social care professional, or you can simply contact us directly.

Once referred, a member of our clinical team will contact you and either arrange for you to visit the hospice or to come and see you at home.   The will tell you about our services, discuss which if any of our services is most suitable, and make practical arrangements.

Once you start coming to the hospice, you will have a settling in period when your keyworker will work with you to devise your individual care plan.  You will then come in on the most suitable day for an agreed period when your care will be reviewed.  This helps us ensure you continue to benefit from your visits.  People move from one part of the service to another from time to time according to their needs. 

Feel Well Again?

Often people only need the service for a short while, perhaps when going through a particularly difficult time.   To be able to adapt to the changes brought on by illness and to no longer need regular care from Great Oaks is a very positive step.   Our support continues even if you no longer need to visit us.   If circumstances change, or you need a chat, JUST CALL.   We’re not far away.

Care Programmes
Respite Day Care
(Monday, lOam — 3:30pm)
A group run jointly with Crossroads that aims at giving those with life-limiting conditions and their carers a much needed break.
Full Day Care
(Tuesday or Friday, lOam — 3:30pm)
A high level of care for those with troublesome palliative care problems, specific care needs or to support carers.   The clinical team of specially trained nurses, complementary therapists, occupational therapist and physiotherapist will work with you to plan care that best suits your needs.   This is achieved in an informal atmosphere, where recreational and social activities help.
Branching Out Group
(Thursday, lOam — 1pm)
A medium level of care.   This group is facilitated by an experienced member of staff and aims towards complete independence of its members.
Outpatients
(Thursday, by appointment only)
A low level of care for those needing a period of active support without coming to a designated group.   This usually takes the form of planned visits to a complementary or rehabilitation therapist for some specific treatment, as per individual assessment.   Nursing staff are also available.
Friendship Group
(Last Thursday of each month, 2-4pm)
A chance for those living with palliative care diagnosis to meet with others in a similar situation, to share experiences and offer mutual support over a cup of tea.   This group is self run with the help of a volunteer.   Speakers on a variety of subjects are invited.   Art and craft activities may be organized.

Support to Other Palliative Care Providers

Great Oakes recognizes the role of other palliative care providers such as District Nurses, GP's, Community Hospital Staff, Social Care and Care Home Staff working with people in the forest of Dean.   A District Nurse Forum is held monthly.   This affords community nurses the opportunity to meet, to share ideas and to discuss pertinent palliative care issues.  

A similar forum is held quarterly that is aimed at a wider group of health care professionals.   The evening incorporates a speaker from a particular speciality.
Bereavement

Great Oaks has always encompassed families as part of their care, keeping in touch after the bereavement.   During 2006 it became obvious that the informal arrangements were no longer enough to ensure each family was properly supported in their time of need.   It became imperative to formalize the bereavement service and to engage a professional experienced in family support and bereaved care, to help staff cope with the ever increasing numbers of families involved with Great Oaks and to take the bereavement service forward.

Eve Jackman, a Specialist Social Worker, joined the clinical team in the autumn.  She has already set up and advertised a structured Bereavement Service.  She has also developed a 3 day training programme for anyone involved in bereavement care.  Attendees could include volunteers from Great Oaks who will then form part of the Bereavement Team, HR personnel from local firms, pastoral care staff from schools and colleges, health and social care professionals supporting terminally ill people and their families as part of their job.  The following is taken from the recently published “Bereavement Service” leaflet, given to families when appropriate.

“Grieving can express itself in many ways and is often accompanied by very powerful feelings: feelings of shock and numbness; sadness, despair and depression.  However, these feelings change and hopefully, over a period of time, most people begin to cope on a day to day basis.  Sometimes we find it helpful to share our feelings with someone outside the family and this is where the Bereavement team at Great Oaks may be able to help.

We offer: 

  • Regular contact to families known to our service for a year following the death of their relative or friend
  • 1:1 support by trained Bereavement volunteers
  • 1:1 counseling by a Specialist Palliative Social Worker or Counselor
  • A support group for people who have also been bereaved