What is respite care?

Planned respite offers families a break from their caring responsibilities, safe in the knowledge that their child is being cared for at Hope House or Tŷ Gobaith by nurses and health care support workers trained to meet the individual needs of the child.

Respite is usually booked in advance. However, services can also respond to emergencies or unexpected events.

An individualised care plan is developed by the nursing team, alongside the family, so that the team can learn about the child’s medical needs, usual routines and all their likes and dislikes. Each family is an expert when it comes to caring for their child and they guide the hospice team in how to look after them.

Why is respite care needed?

The complexity of care required for a child with a life-limiting condition means many parents are not able to leave their child with friends or relatives. As such, the strain on parents can be immense, which can have a significant impact on family wellbeing.

Respite care allows families to rest and recharge their batteries, to enjoy doing the fun things with their child rather than being governed by medication and feeding regimes. Families can also spend time talking to specialist staff about any fears and concerns they may have.

How do seriously ill children benefit from respite visits?

Children benefit from their respite visits in many different ways:

• It’s a ‘holiday’ being cared for in a different environment
• There are exciting new opportunities to explore such as outings, the sensory room, hydrotherapy, music therapy, activities within the hospice, sensory gardens, and interactive technology
• Physiotherapy
• Play therapy
• Their symptom management needs can be reviewed

What is the impact of respite care for parents and carers?

Parents report that a huge pressure is lifted by having skilled care professionals who they know and trust to take responsibility for caring for their child’s complex medical needs.

Parents and carers are able to relax because they are confident that the nurses caring for their child have the expertise to cope with medical emergencies.

Knowing that their child is being safely cared for means parents and carers can allow themselves to sleep through the night and really recharge their batteries.

Does respite help brothers and sisters too? 

Absolutely. Some brothers and sisters really enjoy the opportunity to spend time with their parents. All children love a bit of one-on-one time but unfortunately this is really hard to achieve when they have a brother or sister who has really complex needs.

Hospice teams work alongside siblings ensuring that they feel involved and valued.

This may be through 1:1 sessions or planned group activities depending upon individual need.

What facilities do we have at our hospices?

Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith are specially designed with the comfort of children and families in mind. All of the child and family accommodation overlooks outdoor spaces, gardens or surrounding countryside. The hospices are designed to be a ‘home from home’ – the rooms are all spacious and accessible. 

Click to view the leaflets below to see photographs of some of our rooms, but nothing beats coming and seeing us for real.

Hospice teams are always happy to show families around and talk through the service.

Book a Hope House tour

Book a Tŷ Gobaith tour

View hospice tour video

Are some parents and carers unsure about using respite care initially?

Yes indeed, many parents feel anxious about leaving their child for the first time. Hospice teams work closely with families to ensure they are fully informed of all the child’s needs and there is no pressure at all to leave them.

This will happen when parents feel able and confident to do so - there is no set timescale. Some families choose not to leave their child, which is also acceptable, and they spend the respite time together as a family enjoying the facilities available.

How do families access respite care?

In order to access respite care at Hope House or Tŷ Gobaith, a referral must be received from a family member or a professional involved in the child’s care. Parental consent must be obtained prior to the referral being submitted, as supporting evidence will be requested from the child’s medical team.

Referrals are reviewed by the hospice admissions panel in line with acceptance criteria. Families receive written confirmation of acceptance for hospice services and a member of the nursing team contacts them to make arrangements for an initial visit.

Each family is offered a minimum number of nights respite each year which can be booked in advance. Families can also contact the hospice for additional emergency support, for example if parents themselves are taken ill and are temporarily unable to care for their child.

Feeback from Parents

“We were treated like a king and queen and little princes when we visited Hope House for respite care.”

“Coming to Tŷ Gobaith was the best thing that ever happened to us. We were really nervous but from the minute we walked through the door the nurses welcomed us all with love and expertise.”

“The staff have the knowledge and skills to cope with children with really complex conditions and are brilliant at looking after the rest the family too. Suddenly things seem more bearable.” 

Information leaflets for families

Contact Us

We hope this has provided an introduction to Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith and our services and facilities. If you would like to visit us or find out more about referrals please call.

Hope House
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01691 671999

Tŷ Gobaith
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01492 651900

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