St Raphael's Hospice

St' Raphael's Hospice is thebestofsutton's charity of the year 2008

St Raphael's Hospice has always offered the special skills of Hospice care to those facing life-threatening illness who live in the boroughs of Sutton and Merton (predominantly Sutton, Cheam, Wimbledon and Merton). Since 1987, the charitable organisation has provided high quality medical and nursing care as well as support to family and friends, completely free of charge. St Raphael’s fully recognises and respects ethnic, cultural and religious differences, and patients of all faiths or those of none are welcome at St Raphael’s.

Medical, nursing and support staff do everything possible to relieve pain and sustain patients quality of life in a calm atmosphere of peace and comfort. In each case, Hospice care is tailored to the individual patients needs.

Services may include:

• Skilled medical care provided by nurses and Doctors
• Care at home or in the Hospice/palliative care centre
• A day centre providing creative and social opportunities as well as treatments, which sometimes include complementary therapies
• Support for family, friends and children
• Spiritual support
• Respite care to enable carers to take a break
• Counselling

Donations and fundraising.

St Raphael's Hospice is a charitable organisation and relies very heavily upon voluntary contributions and donations, and depends upon the generosity of the local community to continue providing a high quality of care. It costs more than £160,000 a month to keep the charitable organisation of St Raphael's running. Altogether, more than 80% of income is spent on patient care directly, including nursing and other medical salaries. St Raphael's does receive a grant of roughly 34% of the total cost from the Merton, Sutton & Wimbledon Health Authority, but the remainder must be found from fundraising activities and charitable donations.

What is a Hospice?

During the time of their stay, patients will receive palliative care to help relieve pain and the many other symptoms causing discomfort. They will also receive a great deal of care, love and skilled attention from trained nursing, medical and support staff. St Raphael's Hospice patients' ages range from young adults to the very elderly.

A hospice cannot claim to extend life, but it can almost certainly improve the quality of life for each patient.  Remember, as a charity, St Raphael's Hospice relies on charitable donations and fundraising in order to provide such care.

The other main concern of a hospice like St Raphael's is the relative or carer who is, or maybe left behind. The loss of any loved one can be extremely painful, and there may be practical problems to deal with. Bereavement specialists are available to give their support if required. It is part of the service of care at St Raphael's.

St Raphael's Hospice, like all Hospice’s, provides this care at no cost to patients, be they young or old, rich or poor, whatever faith or none.

Hospices try hard to add quality and dignity to the lives of in their care, ensuring that, if and when required, the remainder of the journey is not undertaken alone.

St Raphael's Hospice Charity Shops
St Raphael's Hospice Charity Newsletter
How to support St Raphael's Hospice Charity
St Raphael's Hospice Events

Please mention that you found us under
Charitable Organisation
on
The Best of Sutton
www.thebestof.co.uk/sutton
sutton@thebestof.co.uk
when calling

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