Ardgowan Hospice Services
Ardgowan Hospice is an independent hospice governed by a volunteer Council of Management and led by a Chief Executive and Management Team. The Management Team comprises the Director of Care, Head of Finance and Operations, Head of People and Transformation, Development Manager, Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Education Facilitator. The hospice provides specialist palliative care services to people in the Inverclyde area, entirely free of charge.
Bees Knees Award 2013 2014
Investor’s in People 2010
The hospice obtained the Bronze level award
Healthcare 100 Employer 2009
Ardgowan Hospice secured sixth place in this influential UK list, supported by NHS Employers. The award was open to both NHS and independent healthcare providers in the acute, primary care, mental health and ambulance sectors. It is a reflection of the excellent employment practices adopted within the hospice, where staff reported feeling motivated and supported to provide first class care to patients and families.
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2008
Ardgowan Hospice volunteers received this prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the local community of Inverclyde.
Learn Direct Scotland-Celebration of Learning 2007
In August 2007 Ardgowan Hospice achieved the accolade of Learning Workplace of the Year 2007. This award is in recognition of the outstanding training and educational opportunities available to staff in the workplace.
Ask about Medicines Awards for Excellence 2007
As part of a joint Hospice initiative, Ardgowan Hospice was successful in June 2007 as runners-up in two categories of these prestigious UK Awards.
Nursing Times Top 100 2006, 2007, 2008
For three years running, Ardgowan Hospice placed among the Top 100 nursing employers in the UK. The award honours the best in employment practice, particularly strong nursing leadership, flexible and family friendly policies, openness, an ability to listen to staff and a strong commitment to training and staff development.
Hospices were highly rated, however Ardgowan was the only Scottish Hospice to be placed in these national nursing awards.
In 2008, nurses who took part in the survey reported “high levels of job satisfaction, an environment where patient and family care come first and a lack of bureaucracy”. The awards were superceded by the Healthcare 100 Awards in 2009 when the Nursing Times joined with the Health Services Journal and Ipsos Mori to administer the new award.
Vision
Access to the best possible care and support for everyone living with a life limiting illness
Mission
Ardgowan Hospice, supported by the local community, aims to provide the highest quality care for patients and families living with a life limiting illness. We value quality of life, dignity, privacy and individual choice.
Key Values
Caring
Respect
Commitment
Compassion
Sensitivity
Integrity
Trust
Confidentiality
Quality
Services for local people
In-Patient care
We have eight beds and provide care for patients and families experiencing complex physical, emotional, social or spiritual problems associated with life threatening illness.
Ardgowan Community Nurse Specialist Team
A team of four Nurse Specialists provides advice on all aspects of symptom management, assessment of specialist palliative care needs and psychological support, for patients and those caring for them. Patients receive support in the community, whether at home or within nursing or residential homes.
ACCESS at Ardgowan
Our drop in centre at ACCESS offers a wide range of services for patients, including 1:1 psychological support, information, relaxation, tai-Chi, yoga, hypnotherapy, and an extensive range of complementary therapies. The welcoming, non-clinical environment assists patients, carers and friends to feel relaxed and spend time with specialist staff. We also offer an award winning Top Notch service for women who have suffered hair loss as a result of treatment. Education courses cover a variety of topics associated with learning to live with serious illness.
Complementary Therapies
A qualified complementary therapy team is available to assess and offer a course of aromatherapy, reiki, reflexology or Indian head massage, as part of a planned programme of support. Therapies can be made available in ACCESS, Day Hospice, In-Patient unit or in patients’ homes. Therapies are also provided for carers and are offered entirely free of charge.
Education Centre
Courses and training are provided, both in-house and externally, by our Education Facilitator. In partnership with Paisley University, Palliative Care Education to degree level is also available through Ardgowan Hospice.
Lymphoedema Service
Patients with secondary Lymphoedema who live in Inverclyde, are treated at the clinic by an experienced Lymphoedema practitioner.
Counselling and Bereavement Support Service
Specially trained hospice staff aim to provide psychological support and counselling during illness, and into bereavement.
Patient and Family Support Service
Ardgowan Hospice Patient and Family Support Worker, provides specialist advice and support to patients and families on all social issues. The post-holder works in close collaboration with hospital and community Social Workers to ensure continuity of care, particularly when patients return home.
Chaplaincy
The Chaplain is supported by a team of honorary chaplains from a wide range of denominations. They provide support and pastoral care for patients and carers and participate in the daily life of the hospice.
Physiotherapy
Assessment, advice, treatment and rehabilitation are available for patients in In-Patient and Out-Patient settings.
Ardgowan Hospice Transport Service
This unique service enables patients to attend for treatment at any hospital in the West of Scotland if they have difficulty in accessing transport. The personalised, friendly service is provided entirely by volunteers.
Hospital
The Consultant in palliative medicine provides clinical advice and support to patients and staff at Inverclyde Royal Hospital on a weekly basis.
Outpatient Clinic
Outpatients can receive specialist medical input at the weekly clinic.
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