The Prince of Wales Hospice opened for day care in 1989 and as a residential hospice in 1990. It provides services free of charge to a catchment of 170,000 people in and around the Five Towns area.

Incare is a 10-bed ward for patients to stay and receive medical and nursing care 24 hours a day.

• People are admitted for symptom management, terminal care and respite care (to give carers some relief and provide patients with a change of scene – usually for 7-14 days).
• Doctors, consultants and a team of nurses with specialist skills provide the necessary medical care. A “named nurse” will oversee the care of each patient throughout their stay.
• Incare patients are encouraged to treat the hospice as home. All rooms are single occupancy and are well equipped, most with an ensuite shower and all with flat-screen TV, DVD and stereo and doors leading to attractive gardens. The menu always provides a range of choices and individual requests are met wherever possible.

The day hospice is staffed by nurses and volunteers. Complementary therapies are provided to ease symptoms and help achieve balance and harmony. Art therapy and occupational therapy are also available.

The self-help group offers friendship, social outings and relaxing therapies for people living relatively well with their long-term diagnosis.

The specialist Lymphoedema clinic is the only one in the Wakefield area and helps people manage this swelling condition.

The Family Care Team provides support for patients returning home and support to families who have suffered a bereavement. The chaplaincy offers spiritual help to patients, carers and families at their difficult time.

The hospice costs £1.8m a year to run, much of which is provided through fundraising and through sales from our 14 shops. We couldn’t operate without the hard work of our 300 volunteers who work in and around the hospice and in our shops.