At Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, the wellbeing of the people we support, hospice visitors, staff and volunteers is our number one priority. We know that this is a worrying and uncertain time for many, but we’d like to assure you that we are committed to continuing to provide our expert care to individuals and their loved ones across Birmingham and Sandwell.
That’s why we’re following advice and guidance issued by the government and World Health Organisation, to ensure we’re taking the necessary steps regarding the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Visiting the Hospice
From 17 May, our visiting policy allows two close relatives or significant others per day. The people can vary from day to day from within a pool of up to six nominated visitors ideally from no more than two households. Up to two visitors can attend on any allocated visit. Visits are restricted to one allocated visit per day, for a maximum of 4 hours. If two visitors are attending we ask that they arrive together if possible.
For patients who are approaching the very end of life, visiting is extended to allow close family to see their loved ones and say goodbye if this is their wish. In this situation:
- Only two visitors at any one time
- Visitors can change throughout the day (as long as there are only two at the bedside at one time)
- There are no restrictions on the size of the visitor pool or length of visit. However, as eating and drinking is not allowed we recommend visits are not longer than 4 hours.
We know how difficult these restricted visiting arrangements are for our patients, their families and loved ones. This policy is reviewed regularly in line with national guidance. We may have to limit visiting in the future if national policy changes.
Thank you for your understanding and co-operation during these exceptional times.
Visitors should contact the nursing team in advance to arrange a suitable visiting time. Please call the Inpatient Unit on 0121 752 8788 or 0121 752 8789.
Visitors should not come to the hospice if they have any Covid symptoms, nor if anyone in their household has symptoms or is self-isolating.
For further information about visiting the Inpatient Unit, please download our Visitor Information Sheet.
Update on our services
Our Inpatient Unit continues to operate and we are still providing urgent care to patients in their own homes. However, for patients with less urgent needs, we are monitoring and keeping in touch via telephone calls and digital consultations.
In line with Government advice on social distancing, the help reduce the spread of coronavirus and keep people safe, our Day Hospice programme, Welcome Group, Space to Breathe and Support at Home services are all currently operating on a digital platform with patients being supported via telephone and video calls.
Our Family and Carer Support team are continuing to provide much-needed emotional and psychological support. Although we have had to stop home visits, we are offering telephone support.
If you’re being supported by the Hospice and have any questions (whether you’re a patient, partner, family member, loved one or carer) please give us a call. All the numbers for each of our services can be found here.
Our charity shops
In line with the most recent national lock down measures, our 16 charity shops across Birmingham, Sandwell are fully closed until restrictions are lifted.
As a charity, we rely on the generosity of our local community for over 60% of our funding, so we need your help more than ever before to continue to care for our patients and support families. If you can, please make a donation online to help keep our services running.
Fundraising activities
Following government guidelines restricting large scale gatherings, we have postponed some of our fundraising events. If you signed up to one of these events, a member of our team will be in touch soon to let you know your next steps.
We encourage you to support us in other ways, such as virtual events or donations, to enable us to continue to deliver much-needed services in these exceptional circumstances. Thank you to all our supporters who have continued to raise money in these very difficult times. Your generosity is needed now more than ever before.
For people wanting to make a donation to the Hospice, we are kindly asking you to make it online, via BACS or post – but not at the Hospice. This is to reduce the risk of infection and to help keep our patients safe. You can make your online donation here or give our fundraising team a call on 0121 752 8779.
Thank you again for your cooperation. For more information on the national guidelines about coronavirus, please visit here.
