Select an option below to refer a person into a specific hospice service.
Please complete the referral form in full, including clearly documenting consent.
If you are referring a person for Hospice at Home, Living Well, or In-patient Unit support and they do not live in Worcestershire, please attach supporting documentation, for example: hospital letters, reports or GP summary, and a list of the patient’s current medication.
Completed referral forms for Hospice at Home, Living Well, and In-patient Unit support should be emailed to
Referral forms for Family Support and bereavement services can be submitted online.
- Urgent referrals
- Refer into Hospice at Home
- Refer into Living Well Services
- Refer into In-patient Unit
- Refer into Family Support Services
- Refer into Bereavement Support South Worcestershire
- FAQs
We will communicate with other professionals to support the patient, or client, in the most appropriate way.
Urgent referrals
If you require support and advice within 48 hours, including to discuss potential admission to the In-patient Unit, please call us on 01905 763963.
Integrated community services
To refer a patient into our Hospice at Home or Living Well Service, please call 01905 763963 or complete a referral form.
Through these services patients can access specialist palliative care nursing support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and complementary therapy. Medical advice is also available if needs are identified at assessment.
In-patient Unit
A consultant-led unit for patients with complex, specialist palliative care needs including symptom management, and care in the last days of life.
The ability to admit a patient depends on a number of factors, including the availability of beds, and the needs of the patients already under our care.
If appropriate, planning for discharge will be discussed with the patient soon after admission.
To refer a patient to our In-patient Unit, please call 01905 763963 or complete the referral form. For referrals at the weekend please call the hospice on 01905 763963.
Family Support Services
St Richard’s Family Support
Services, including one-to-one support, is provided to St Richard’s patients and the people important to them.
The team support adults who are known to St Richard’s palliative care services, and the people important to them including children. Support before and after the death of a loved one is available.
Bereavement Support South Worcestershire (BSSW)
Bereavement support for adults and children who have experienced the traumatic or unexpected death of a loved one, for example through suicide or cardiac arrest.
Support is offered in a group setting. Individuals will be assessed for group support and referred for this if appropriate. Self-care strategies may be offered to people in early bereavement.
To refer someone to either service, you can:
- Call the Family Support and Bereavement Referral Line which is open via the main hospice number 01905 763963 Monday to Thursday, 10am to 2pm
- Complete our online Family Support and BSSW referral form
- Click to view Family Support Services referral criteria
Click to view Family Support and Bereavement Support South Worcestershire referral criteria
Bereavement Support South Worcestershire offers support to grieving adults between three months and three years following a bereavement.
For St Richard’s Hospice Bereavement Service, support can be offered at any point in a person’s grief journey.
For both services, people aged under 18 can be referred at any stage following their bereavement. Referrals can be made by a parent or guardian, or professional.
Our staff are trained to work therapeutically in pre and post bereavement care. The safety and wellbeing of each individual is paramount. Therefore, it is essential that we work within our skillset and competence as professionals. This safeguards both individuals and professionals.
We are:
- unlikely to support individuals who are actively suicidal, self-harming, or at high risk.
- unlikely to be able to offer support if another external agency is providing therapeutic support, e.g. Mental health
- unlikely to support if clients are actively using substances to cope/manage. This needs to be under control and well managed before we can accept the referral.
- St Richard’s Hospice and Bereavement Support South Worcestershire are unlikely to offer urgent pre and post bereavement support.
If we are not able to offer support we will signpost individuals to other services so they can access the right support at the right time.
We will:
- consider each individual. If it is determined that an individual does not meet the criteria for our service we will we will look at alternative options including signposting, and may on occasion offer a brief intervention if appropriate.
- signpost individuals and health professionals to specialist services, both local and national.
- offer training in pre-and-post bereavement support for external staff by the St Richard’s Learning Team
Frequently asked questions
Who do we care for?
We offer free care to adults with an illness that cannot be cured, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment, and to their last days. We also support family members, and bereaved people.
Most patients will have advanced, progressive disease, where the focus of care will have changed from curative to palliative and prognosis is limited. Some patients with complex needs are referred earlier in their disease journey.
When is a patient referral appropriate?
Not everyone with an illness that cannot be cured will need specialist palliative care or hospice services. A demonstrable need for specialist palliative care must be established.
Referral is appropriate where:
- Pain or other symptoms are difficult to control despite intervention
- It is difficult to meet the psychological, social and spiritual needs of the patient, family or significant others
- Care in the last days of life where additional support is required
The hospice In-patient Unit is not able to provide rehabilitation facilities, planned respite or long-term care.
Where do we care?
All our services are available free of charge to people registered with a South Worcestershire GP (for example in Worcester, Droitwich, Pershore, Evesham, Malvern, Tewkesbury, Broadway, Martley and surrounding areas.)
The St Richard’s In-patient Unit cares for people across Worcestershire including those living in the Wyre Forest, Kidderminster, Redditch and Bromsgrove areas.
Do I have to pay for your services?
No, all our care is available free of charge thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters who fund the majority of our services.
