Referrals

Farleigh Hospice is here to support adults living with a life-limiting illness in mid Essex and their families and carers. 

We help each person live as well as possible for as long as possible and, when the time comes, receive care that is comfortable, dignified, and shaped around what matters most to them. 

Our care is provided at home, across the community, at our hospice building and when needed, in our Inpatient Unit. We work alongside other health professionals to ensure that each person and their family receive the right support at the right time. 

Who can be referred 

Anyone aged 18 or over living in mid Essex with a life-limiting illness can be referred. This includes people with cancer and non-cancer diagnoses such as heart failure, respiratory disease, neurological conditions, or advanced frailty. 

People often benefit from hospice support when: 

  • symptoms are becoming harder to manage 
  • additional support is needed at home 
  • emotional, spiritual, or practical support is required 
  • advance care planning conversations are helpful 
  • more intensive care is needed at the end of life 

There is no need to wait until the final days of life to make a referral. 

 

Who can make a referral 

Referrals can be made by: 

  • GPs and community nursing teams 
  • Hospital doctors and discharge teams 
  • Other health and social care professionals 
  • Patients themselves 
  • Family members or carers 

If a patient or family member refers, we may contact the GP or another healthcare professional to ensure the right information is available for care planning. 

How to refer 

For professionals 

Health and social care professionals can complete our referral form and send it securely to our referrals team. 

Clinical referral form

You can also call our Clinical Advice Line on 01245 455478 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.

For patients, families, and carers 

If you would like to refer yourself or a loved one, you can complete a self-referral form or speak to your GP, community nurse, or district nurse for advice. 

Self-referral form

Referral from a family member or carer

You can also call our Clinical Advice Line on 01245 455478 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday.

If you are unsure whether hospice care is appropriate, please contact us. We are happy to talk through the options and provide guidance.

What happens next 

Once a referral is received, our team will review the information and decide how we can best support the person. 

We may contact the patient, family, or referrer for more detail. We then agree the most suitable care, either at home in the community or in our inpatient unit. 

We work closely with GPs, district nurses, hospital teams, and other professionals to make sure care is coordinated and centred on the individual’s needs. 

 

Support for families and carers 

Illness affects everyone around the patient. 

Our support includes: 

  • Emotional and practical support for carers 
  • Advice on coping with changing roles 
  • Guidance and reassurance throughout the illness 
  • Bereavement support after someone has died 

We make sure families have the information and support they need, when they need it most.

Contact the referrals team

If you would like to discuss a referral, or need guidance on what support is available, please contact our Clinical Advice Line on 01245 455478 between 8am-8pm Monday to Friday.