Specialist Inpatient care (Specialist IPU)

Our Specialist Inpatient Unit (IPU) is located in our hospice building in Broomfield, Chelmsford. It provides short-term care for patients needing symptom control, respite, rehabilitation, or end of life care.

Our multi-disciplinary Inpatient Unit team is comprised of doctors, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, spiritual care team members, complementary therapists and many volunteers, all here to help you.

Facilities

We have 10 comfortable rooms, all with Freeview TV, phones, internet access, en-suites, as well as their own private patios, overlooking our beautiful gardens. One of our rooms is specifically designed for young people and their families. The suite is a fully accessible studio apartment with a kitchenette, bathroom, modern entertainment centre, and private outdoor area, as well as a sofa bed for visiting family and friends.

We would encourage you to bring personal items in from home that are important to you or things you like to do to pass the time.

Food and drink

All our daily meals are cooked on-site using the best fresh ingredients and we can cater for any dietary requirement or appetite.

Information regarding nutrition and a patient menu will be provided to patients on arrival.

Visiting

There are no set visiting hours on the Inpatient Unit. You may visit at any time. Occasionally the nurse in charge may ask visitors to rotate and reduce the length of time of visits depending on our patients’ needs.

It may also be necessary to adjust visiting hours if there are concerns over infection in order to keep our patients safe.

Monday to Friday 08:30-17:00

On arrival to the hospice we ask that all visitors report to the Main Reception. On occasion, visitors may be asked to wait in reception. Your patience and understanding is appreciated should this be necessary.

During other times

On arrival, please go to the doors of the Main Reception and press the intercom to gain access. One in the reception area, please go to the double doors on the left and press the intercom. The IPU staff will buzz to let you through. From here, turn right at the end of the corridor and go through the next set of doors to reach the IPU main doors. Ring the doorbell to be let through or a member of the IPU staff will come and meet you at the door.

For more information on visiting the IPU, please download a copy of our IPU Visitor leaflet

If you have further questions then please contact the Inpatient Unit on 01245 457 361.

Parking

Parking is provided for visitors of patients who are staying in the hospice. Please use the designated visitor parking spaces which are located to your right as you come through the entrance barrier. There are also disabled spaces near the main entrance. All parking is free, however, we do ask everyone to register their car at reception.

For more information on visiting the IPU, please download a copy of our IPU Visitor leaflet

If you have further questions, please contact the Inpatient Unit on 01245 457361.

Your experience of our care

We are always pleased to hear any comments about the services we are providing. You will be given a feedback form on admission which can be returned to the hospice staff. Your feedback helps us to maintain a high standard of service and we are really keen to hear from you.

You can also complete our feedback survey.