Philosophy of care

Our philosophy of care is underpinned by the World Health Organisation’s statement that palliative care is “the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment…The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.” 

Palliative care:

• Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms whilst maintaining the dignity of the patient
• Is life-affirming and views dying and death as normal processes
• Neither hastens nor postpones death through life-sustaining techniques
• Integrates the medical, psychological, spiritual and social aspects of care 
• Recognises the autonomy of patients and their right to express personal choice
• Provides a support system to help patients live as fully and actively as possible until death
• Offers appropriate support to friends and family through the patient’s illness and their own bereavement

The Rowans Hospice is a specialist palliative care unit providing care for patients and families who have complex needs. Any resident of Portsmouth and South East Hampshire over the age of 16 can be referred to The Rowans Hospice.  All care services are free of charge and therefore are carefully planned for and balanced to enable the hospice to live within its means.

Our Aims

To deliver the very best in specialist palliative care to hospice and hospital in-patients, to those living at home, and to those who would benefit from our other services.

To create a therapeutic environment that is calm, relaxing and friendly, and which allows individuals and families comfort, privacy and dignity.

To promote well-being and the highest quality of life for patients and families throughout the illness, dying and into bereavement.

To promote equal opportunity by creating an environment free from discrimination (e.g. against disability, financial status, ethnicity, sexual orientation), and based on individual need.

To help patients make informed choices about their care and the setting in which it is received by offering impartial advice and support.

To complement overall provision of palliative care in the community.

Our Values

We respect the individuality of each person and offer the freedom to express and practise religious, spiritual, philosophical and cultural beliefs.

We recognise the value of confidentiality within relationships and aim to maintain this in our work with patients and families.

We believe in open and honest communication.

We have a research-based approach to patient care and our staff continually seek to update their skills through supervision, education and training.

We strive for excellence in the delivery of specialist palliative care and share our knowledge and expertise with the local community and other healthcare professionals.

We are committed to further development and improvement of our services.