Medical Outpatient Clinics
Many people access our care through medical outpatient clinics, which offer expert medical assessment and advice on complex symptom management, psychological support and planning for the future.
Appointments are held in the Woodside Clinic in the grounds of St Catherine’s Hospice, or in the main hospice building.
What happens during an appointment?
We take the time to discuss your individual needs and wishes, including medical and emotional support. Our clinics cover complex symptoms including pain, nausea and vomiting, bowel problems, breathlessness, and anxiety.
The doctor will explore options for ongoing treatment and care, agree these with you, and will then suggest any appropriate and helpful changes to your GP, who remains responsible for your overall care. This might mean alterations to medication and treatments to make sure you are as comfortable as possible.
Can family members attend the clinics?
We welcome close family members or carers to attend and to ask questions, so we can work with you as well as your loved ones to determine what’s important to you all and how St Catherine’s can best meet your needs now and in the future.
What happens next?
If your current palliative care needs are being met, you may be discharged from our outpatient clinic back to the care of your GP, following discussion and in agreement with your clinic doctor. However, we’re always ready to see you again when the need arises, by referral from a GP, hospital doctor, specialist nurse or district nurse.
Steven’s story
When Steven was diagnosed with melanoma and referred to St Catherine’s, he didn’t realise the hospice runs outpatient clinics. He started attending appointments with our palliative care consultant, Dr Claire Capewell and says he found both her and her secretary, Janette Sherrington, to be a huge source of support for him and his wife: “I hope that by sharing my story, it will give reassurance to anyone who is referred to a hospice that there is someone there for them, at a very difficult and frightening time.”
