Palliative care at Frankston

At St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital, we care for patients who are close to the end of their life. Our facilities are spacious and well equipped offering a home like setting so that you and your loved ones have comfortable spaces to be together. Our gardens, outdoor spaces and onsite cafes and lounges are available for you and your loved ones to enjoy.

Our caregivers do everything possible to ensure you and your family are fully supported when accessing our palliative care services.

Palliative care services at St John of God Frankston Rehabilitation Hospital

Our palliative care services focus on supporting the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of people living with a life-limiting or terminal illness. We work closely with patients and their families, providing information, helping to set meaningful goals, and coordinating care to ensure the best possible support.

Palliative care recognises dying as a natural part of life and includes compassionate end-of-life care. For some patients, palliative care interventions may also help extend life while improving comfort and wellbeing.

Our team uses an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together a range of health and social care professionals to enhance your quality of life. Patients are encouraged to actively participate in the decision-making process when developing their personalised palliative care plan.

Referrals

Your treating doctor or General Practitioner may refer you to our palliative care service. Your nurse can arrange referrals to other members of the palliative care service.

Our palliative caregivers

We always put your comfort and health needs first. Your caregivers may include:

• a palliative care specialist who will explain the benefits of different medications and treatment options available for the control of pain, nausea and other symptoms
• nurses who will be in regular contact with you and your family to answer questions about your care, and advise you on how to manage your symptoms and your care when you return home
• medical experts who can provide advice and prescriptions for appropriate medications to manage pain and other symptoms in addition to expertise in excellent care
• a counsellor to provide formal emotional support and help you develop coping strategies
• a social worker to provide emotional support and provide information about community resources and practical matters
• allied health professionals who can assist with your ongoing needs
• a pastoral care service that provides confidential personal support, and spiritual and religious ministry for those who want it.

Support services for patients and families

Pastoral care

Our pastoral services caregivers provide a free service available to all patients regardless of their culture, faith and spiritual belief, including if they have no faith. Pastoral practitioners listen with respect to stories, are sensitive to the vulnerability of each person and foster resources of hope, courage, faith, trust and love. and love. and love.

Cuddle beds

Generously funded by community donations, our cuddle beds allow loved ones to be physically close and lay together, deepening connection and providing comfort. Cuddle beds offer patients and loved ones a compassionate approach to end-of-life care.

Medical ward visitor program

Our trained volunteers provide a visiting service to patients so their loved ones can have some respite, safe in the knowledge that their loved one in hospital has some companionship while they are not in the room.*Volunteers interact with patients and families to provide companionship and friendly support. This may include conversation, reminiscing, sourcing the patient’s favourite music, service refreshments and more.

Dignity therapy

Dignity therapy aims to support patients by inviting them to reflect on things that are most important to them and memories they wish to pass on and leave for their family. Trained practitioners conduct a recorded interview and create an edited transcript to be treasured by loved ones. It has been shown to positively reduce stress and improve mood in patients at this time.

Art and music therapy

Art and music therapy promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing through the creative process and can be very beneficial to improving mood and self esteem, as well as reducing stress. Our qualified art and music therapists guide patients through music and art mediums like drawing, painting and collage.

Dream a little dream

Dream A Little Dream is a special dedicated to those facing a life limiting illness. Funded by community donations, the program allows for small dreams and wishes to be granted for patients.

Costs and payment information

St John of God Health Care private hospitals provide benefits that include reduced wait times for surgery, your choice of specialist, and access to high-quality, compassionate care.

We provide a range of ways to pay for your treatment.