Hospice Care
A hospice is a specialist centre providing care and support for people as they reach the end of their lives. Hospices focus on quality of life, symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support for patients and their families. Hospice Isle of Man is the island’s only hospice.
This is expert medical and nursing care provided for more complex symptoms or needs, handled by experts with advanced training in palliative and end of life care.
Terminal care refers to care provided in the last few days of life, whilst end of life care refers to care provided in the last months of life.
Hospices provide personalised care that prioritises comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Unlike hospitals, which focus on medical treatment, hospices offer holistic support including pain and symptom management and emotional support.
No. Hospice Isle of Man is a registered charity and the only dedicated palliative and end-of-life care facility on the island. We are the leader in supporting patients, families, and the community through specialist palliative and end of life care. We receive an annual grant from Manx Care towards our running costs. The rest we raise ourselves with massive support from the people and organisations on the Island.
There is no connection. The palliative care Clinical Nurse Specialist team are employed by Hospice Isle of Man to support our patients in the community and hospital. They are not Macmillan nurses, and we do not receive any funding from Macmillan.
Anyone with complex palliative and end of life care needs may be eligible. Our team assesses individual needs to provide the most appropriate support.
We support a wide range of conditions, including cancer, heart or lung disease, neurological conditions, kidney failure, and other life-limiting illnesses.
No. Hospice care may be appropriate at any stage of a palliative illness when there are complex symptoms. We can help with advice on management and support for patient and families.
Yes, we provide round-the-clock care for inpatients. Our community Hospice at Home team also provides support visits at home 24hrs a day. All other services are operational during the day Monday to Friday.
Referrals and Access
Referrals can be made by any health care professional involved in your care.
No- self referrals are not accepted. Please contact your GP or current care provider to ask about referral to Hospice Isle of Man.
Priority will be given to those in the last few days/hours of life. We aim to respond within 24hrs for urgent referrals. For non-urgent referrals will aim to respond within four working days.
No. Hospice care is free for patients and families in the Isle of Man and, mainly funded through charitable donations and fundraising.
Hospice at Home
Hospice at Home is available to support those who wish to die at home. The service provides specialist care for patients in their own home, helping them remain comfortable and manage symptoms.
People who are in the last two weeks of life and wish to remain at home to die.
Visit length and frequency vary depending on need and service capacity. Due to the demands on the service, we do not provide overnight stays or extended visits.
Yes, our trained team can administer medications and provide guidance to families on care routines.
A referral can be made by your GP, hospital, or community nurse. Our team will assess your needs within 24hrs of referral.
Visiting and Staying
We encourage relatives and friends to visit. Close family and next of kin can visit at any time, dependant on the patient’s wishes. All other visitors are welcome between 2pm and 8pm. Please check in with our nursing staff at arrival prior to visiting.
Yes, children are welcome.
Our average length of stay is between 9-12 days, however the length of stay depends on individual needs. Please note that our Hospice inpatient unit is not a long-term care facility.
Yes. We provide parking facilities for patients, families, and visitors.
Yes. We have tea and coffee facilities available for a small donation and there is a café on site (open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm). We are not able to provide food to all relatives throughout the patient stay. Please discuss with the nursing staff availability of meals and refreshments.