What does St Luke’s do?
St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth is dedicated to providing high quality specialist palliative and end of life care to patients who are suffering from life-limiting or terminal illnesses.

Palliative Care is about maximizing the quality of life for those who have a terminal or life-limiting illness.

Our vision is to care for patients wherever their ‘preferred place of care’ might be: Hospice, Hospital or at Home. At St Luke’s we are passionate about providing dignity and choice for our patients.

In 2005 St Luke’s Services was established to provide an integrated approach in caring for patients with advanced illnesses. St Luke’s Hospice, Derriford Hospital and the local Primary Care Trusts work together to provide a ‘Joined Up’ approach to caring.   

What happens at the Hospice?
The special kind of care offered at St Luke’s is best described as ‘holistic’ because the patient is cared for as a whole person and not simply as someone with a particular set of symptoms.

Hospice care addresses many complex needs: PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, SPIRITUAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL.  That care is extended to the patient’s family and loved ones so that those facing the end of their life and their families can make the most of the precious time that is left to them.

The majority of patients stay for one or two weeks to receive respite care or to have their pain and symptoms controlled. Many patients then return home to a higher quality of life.

A smaller number of our patients choose to spend their final days in dignity and peace at the Hospice being cared for by skilled and dedicated staff and volunteers.

When a patient does reach the end of their life the Hospice is there to offer support and help to the loved ones who are left behind.

Our catchment area covers Plymouth, South West Devon and South East Cornwall.