Dorothy House Hospice Care seeks to improve services for people with life-limiting illness

Working through research consultancy Evolving Communities, Dorothy House is carrying out a review of their current day services and wants to find out if they are providing the right information and activities to support patients and families.

The information gathered from the research will be used to develop and shape Dorothy House’s future provision of day services.

Dorothy House want to hear from people who are living with a life-limiting illness, carers/family members/close friends and people working closely with people who have a life-limiting illness. Dorothy House supports people from Bath and North East Somerset and parts of Wiltshire and Somerset.

There is a common misunderstanding that hospices are places where people go to die, are only for those with advanced cancer, or those that are elderly. In reality, hospices are much more than this.

Dr Sara Nelson, Head of Research & Insight at Evolving Communities, said:

“A life-limiting illness is one that is incurable and that will get progressively worse over time; ultimately shortening a person’s life. However, with appropriate support, a person with a life-limiting illness may continue to live well for a long time.

“We want to find out if and how people use the Dorothy House Day Services and what could be done to improve them. We are appealing for a wide variety of voices including anyone over 18 living with a life-limiting illness, whether they access Dorothy House Day Services or not, along with carers, family members, close friends and people who work closely with someone with a life-limiting illness.”

Ruth Gretton, Director of Patient and Family Services at Dorothy House Hospice Care said:

"We are delighted to be working with Evolving Communities on their research into day patient services at Dorothy House. We look forward to hearing constructive feedback from people in the local community affected by a life-limiting illness, including those we've yet to engage with as well as our existing patients so we can review and improve our services for the future. Our sincere thanks to all who take part in the survey before 5th January."