SinglePoint is our 24/7 telephone advice line available for individuals facing incurable illness, their families, friends and carers. You can call SinglePoint on 01206 890 360 to refer into any St Helena service or to call for help, information or for support to coordinate other health and social care services.
Our SinglePoint team can make an assessment over the phone and help people access the support they need when they need it. They work closely with the GP, community nurses and out of hours doctors as needed to manage the situation. In a crisis our expert nurses or other professionals may visit at home to respond.
Working closely with our Hospice in the Home services, SinglePoint guides those who need us every step of the way helping people stay at home when that is what they choose. This is possible thanks to the help and generosity of our donors, you can make a donation here.
The My Care Choices Register can hold key information about an individual’s diagnosis, condition and the medical treatment they are receiving, in addition to recording their wishes about their care. We work closely with local GPs and other health and social care professionals to promote and support its use.
The SinglePoint Virtual Ward provides personal care and support to people in the last weeks of life, helping with all hygiene needs such as washing and mouth care, as well as providing support to the family, in the comfort of their own homes.
St Helena's Virtual Ward provides:
• Personal care visits provided up to four times a day
• Access to support and resources to help with physical, emotional, social or spiritual issues
• Up to 18 patients and families can be supported at any one time for up to six weeks
• We can help facilitate discharge from hospital if home is the patient's preferred place of care
Care is provided twice a day by our team of healthcare assistants who are experienced in end of life care, this is overseen by our expert nurses. Patients and their families are further supported by our SinglePoint service, providing advice and support over the phone 24/7; and if needed, our team of doctors, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, counsellors, and spiritual care team.
The aim of the Virtual Ward is to help patients remain at home if that is their preferred place of care, and to prevent unwanted or inappropriate admission to hospital or hospice.
Prior to a patient being accepted into the service, an assessment will be made by a St Helena nurse to explain how the service works and the type of support St Helena can offer you.
St Helena is currently working with Bluebird Care to provide this service and to support more people in need across north Essex. Depending on their needs, patients can be supported up to four times a day. You can read more about this here
Care is available for up to six weeks. If care is required for a period longer than 28 days, the SinglePoint nurses will have to refer on to an alternative care provider which will be done with your knowledge and consent. You will continue to receive support from St Helena even if your personal care ceases.
You can contact SinglePoint at any time, 24/7, for advice and support if required. Just call 01206 890 360.