Please note: Due to our ongoing building and renovation work, St Joseph's Ward and the Mary Aikenhead Centre are currently operating as a combined unit. All patients continue to receive the same specialist care.
St Joseph's Ward
Specialist palliative care for patients living with progressive life-limiting illness, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team in a calm, supportive environment.
Who we care for
St Joseph's Ward cares for people experiencing complex physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual symptoms as a result of a life-limiting illness. Patients may also choose the Hospice as their preferred place of care when the end of life is approaching.
A referral can be made by your GP, advanced practitioner, district nurse, or hospital team. If you're unsure whether a referral is right for your family member, please contact us, we're happy to talk it through.
How we care for you
Every patient's care is different. During your stay, the team will work with you to understand what matters most, whether that's managing pain, spending time in the garden, sharing a meal with family, or planning a visit home.
Our approach is holistic. We look after the whole person, not just the physical symptoms, but the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs that come with a life-limiting illness. We also support the people around you.
Activities and therapies
Supporting wellbeing and bringing moments of calm during your stay.
Complementary therapies
Gentle chair & bed yoga
Guided relaxation
Arts and crafts
Life story journaling
Virtual reality experience
Games & library
Bedside sessions
Your room
Our rooms are being refurbished as part of our Building Appeal. You're welcome to bring personal items from home, phones, tablets, a speaker for music, photos, a favourite blanket. All personal devices are PAT tested before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Hospice Team encourage everyone to pack small items and personal belongings which will foster comfort and calm.
In addition, everyone is encouraged to pack toiletries of choice, nightwear, underwear, outdoor clothing (fleece, cardigan or zipper hoodie), comfortable and well-fitting shoes, and loungewear to ensure comfort and cosiness when outside. The Hospice Gardens are beautiful and have been created with peace in mind. Whether someone can be out of bed or not, spending time in the Hospice Gardens is recommended.
When packing devices, we recommend all chargers are packed too. Once PAT Testing has taken place, devices can be safely used. The Hospice Team will ensure all devices are charged overnight ahead of each new day to assure seamless connectivity. We encourage all to connect with family and friends via Facetime if possible and the Hospice Team are happy to encourage and facilitate this, most especially to say good morning and good night.
The Hospice Garden Room Catering Team provide all meals, tea, coffee, soft drinks, aperitifs, and small snacks, such as fruit, yoghurts, custards, creamed rice puddings, smoothies, ice-lollies, sandwiches, crisps, biscuits and cakes.
Breakfast is served form 08:00, however if a later breakfast is preferred, this can be arranged with the Ward Hostess. Lunch is served at 13:00 and supper 18:00. Between times, there are small snacks and drinks available. Tea, coffee and cold drinks are served throughout the day, mid-morning, afternoon tea and evening. Warm milk drinks such as hot chocolate, Horlicks or Ovaltine are served late evening prior to sleeping.
Aperitifs are served as and when preferred, and whilst the Hospice will have a selection of wines, beers and spirits available, those who have a preference of alcoholic beverage are encouraged to pack this for personal use. All alcohol is stored in a central drinks trolley and served in the evenings by the Ward Hostess and when requested.
For those who are able to be out of bed, the Hospice Garden Room Restaurant is a wonderful environment to spend time with family and friends. The Garden Room menu changes daily and serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and supper. A selection of speciality tea, coffee and cold drinks are available alongside sweet treats baked by the Hospice Pastry Chef.
In general, family and friends are welcome to visit the Hospice between the hours of 15:00 to 17:00 and 19:00 to 20:00.
Visiting for family and friends is shaped around personal care episodes and mealtimes. The timing of visiting is discretionary, as often, if families wish to participate in mealtime or if someone is unwell, the timeframe of visiting may change.
Please speak with the Nurse in Charge of the Inpatient Unit to discuss further if you wish to visit out with the suggested timeframes, as we recognise a visit from family and friends can make all the difference in the world.
St Margaret of Scotland Hospice has a ‘No Smoking Policy’ which alludes to patients, staff, family, friends and any visitors to the Hospice.
For those staying in the Hospice, it is important to know all rooms are supplied with piped oxygen. All smoking materials are prohibited.
All questions should be directed to the Nurse in Charge.
Pharmacological supplies supporting the medical management of someone’s care will be supplied by the Hospice. If other medications are currently being utilised, for example over the counter medications or CBD oils, please share this information with the Hospice Team to ensure all safety parameters are considered.
As all drugs/medications have both contraindications and side effects, the Hospice Team would prefer to have an awareness of other drugs in use, to ensure all prescribed treatments are considered and planned in a safe and effective manner.
For those where English is not the first language, the Hospice Team will be delighted to contact and work in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Interpreting Services.