What to expect at The Prince of Wales Hospice
Helpful answers to common questions about hospice care, support, admissions and visiting.
Starting your hospice journey
If you or someone close to you is coming to the Hospice for the first time, it’s completely natural to feel unsure or have questions. We want you to feel informed, reassured and supported every step of the way. This walk-through video gives you a gentle introduction to our hospice environment and what you can expect when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most common questions patients and families ask about hospice care.
Hospice care aims to improve the quality of life of patients facing the problems associated with a life-threatening illness, and to support their families. This includes the prevention and relief of suffering through treatment of pain and other problems, not only physical, but psychological and spiritual as well.
Our hospice care is provided by a wide range of specialist staff, who work across our key services:
- Incare – specialist medical and nursing care for patients who need 24-hour specialist care
- Wellbeing Support – a range of services available for adults diagnosed with a life limiting illness and those who care for them. The team also offers wellbeing support to the community within the Five Towns area of Wakefield District. It includes physiotherapy, complementary therapies, social work and family and carer support.
- Lymphoedema clinic – for patients with this particular swelling condition
- Counselling and Bereavement Services – for carers, family members and friends
Our care extends to anyone over the age of eighteen who has a life-limiting illness, for example: cancer, Motor Neurone Disease, COPD, chronic heart disease or Multiple Sclerosis.
The Hospice itself is in Pontefract, but our services are available to people in and around the Five Towns area of Pontefract, Knottingley, Castleford, Featherstone and Normanton and south as far as Hemsworth and South Kirkby.
No. The Hospice helps people live better with their illness, with many eventually returning home after overcoming a specific problem. Many choose the safety and dignity of the Hospice for care at the end of their life. Find out more here.
No. People often think Hospices only look after people with cancer. While most of our patients do have a cancer diagnosis, some do not. We care for patients with motor neurone disease, chronic heart, lung disease, lymphoedema and any other life-limiting illnesses.
No. All age groups can be affected by a life-limiting illness and we offer our services for anyone over the age of 18.
People who visit our Hospice realise that it is a bright and welcoming place. All rooms are decorated to the highest standard, have ensuite bathrooms and access to the beautiful, extended gardens.
We provide our hospice care free of charge and entirely based on need. However, around 35% of the cost is covered by the NHS. This means we have to raise around £3.5m a year through our shops, fundraising events, donations and fundraising initiatives. Find out more here.
If you have private medical insurance that you have taken out for yourself or that an employer has on your behalf, there may be the way you can help us to continue providing our services. Many health insurers are willing to recognise services provided to their members in the form of a donation. If you have insurance we can write to your insurer asking for such a donation which will assist in funding future care here at The Prince of Wales Hospice at no cost to you. If you would like to help, please let the nursing staff know and they help you fill in a form.
Find out more about our wide range of services
Stories from our patients
