For Patients

Hospice Malta is an NGO (VO/0062) providing free of charge patient-centered palliative care for patients suffering from cancer, motor neuron disease, end-of-life cardiac, respiratory, renal, liver diseases, Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

PALLATIVE CARE

SERVICES

REFERRAL FORM

As defined by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) in 2002, palliative care ‘is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other physical symptoms, together with psycho-social and spiritual problems.’

The raison d’etre of Hospice Malta is guided by the philosophy and principles of palliative care as expounded by the WHO. These include the provision of palliative care which is intended to:

  • provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
  • affirm life and regards dying as a normal process
  • neither to hasten or postpone death
  • integrate the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
  • offer a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
  • offer a support system to help the family cope during the patients illness and in their own bereavement
  • use a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated
  • enhance quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of illness
  • be applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.

The application of such principles in practice calls for an investigation of all the possible clinical pathways with an analysis focusing on the patient and the various needs he/she will encounter, it being at an in-patient or community level.

SERVICES

HOME CARE

The clinical team at Hospice Malta customizes a care plan tailored to the unique needs of every patient and their family. This comprehensive plan addresses medical, practical, psychosocial, and spiritual challenges that arise during this stage of life. The team comprises doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, complementary therapists, physiotherapists, and the Spiritual Director from Hospice.

DAY THERAPY

Located within Hospice Malta premises, staff and volunteers at the Day Therapy Unit offer to various activities and therapies for patients who visit for a morning.

HYDROTHERAPY

Group and individual physiotherapy is carried out in the pool, allowing patients to carry out some physical exercises, apart from acting as respite for their relatives.

RESPITE CARE

Care is provided in the patients’ homes based on specific criteria. Certain families may find short-term caregiver services helpful, while others may need this assistance for a longer duration. This service has demonstrated its significance by allowing patients to stay in their own homes, thereby reducing reliance on government hospital services. Additionally, it facilitates earlier discharge from hospitals by providing necessary support at home.

PATIENT TRANSPORT

This service offers vans fitted with regular seating and facilities to accommodate wheelchair users, facilitating the transportation of patients to and from Hospice day therapy and SAMOC. Furthermore, volunteers make use of their own vehicles to transport patients to day therapy and back home.

LOAN OF EQUIPMENT

This essential service enables patients living in their own home to be cared for with dignity and with as much independence as possible. Equipment ranges from walking sticks to electric beds and syringe drivers and is given to the patients following a detailed assessment of their needs.

HOSPITAL SUPPORT

Our support allows for follow up on Hospice Malta patients, as well as support in devising discharge plans within the hospital and referrals of new patients.

AFTER HOURS ON-CALL SUPPORT

Continuation of service after office hours is provided through a telephone support line to patients and their families after hours till 10.30pm and all day (till 10.30pm) during weekends and public holidays.

On-Call Number: 79 22 88 22

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICE

As of 2015, the services of a psychologist are being offered to Hospice registered patients. Individual and group sessions are delivered by Hospice Malta’s psychologist according to patients’ needs.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

Targeting the psycho-social and emotional aspect, this is another important service enabling holistic care. Bereavement support is given to relatives and significant others through memorial service, one to one bereavement sessions as well as structured bereavement support groups. Apart from delivering the latter mentioned groups to relatives of Hospice Malta’s registered patients, during the past year this service was also extended in the community through the various local parishes.

REFERRAL FORM

Procedure to refer a patient to Hospice

DOWNLOAD FORM
  1. Download the Referral Form and send to us by email (referrals@hospicemalta.org) or post, or complete the form online as per below. You can also collect the form from Hospice Malta premises.
  2. The form has to be filled in and signed by a medical doctor and sent back to Hospice Malta.
  3. A Hospice Malta representative will contact you within 24 working hours.
  4. An explanation and advice will be given regarding our services during our first phone call.
  5. The Hospice Malta nurse will then follow up with a home visit usually within 5 working days following the first call.

Need help?

If you need any help or assistance with the Referral Form do not hesitate to contact us:
Tel: (+356) 21 440 085 | Email: referrals@hospicemalta.org