Inpatient Care

We provide 24-hour specialist care on our inpatient unit, offering short-term admissions to people with complex medical needs, and care for people who are in their final days of life.

Our inpatient unit is home to 18 beds in a mixture of bays and single rooms, and two relative rooms to allow families to stay overnight. Each room has access to our beautiful gardens and beds can be wheeled outside.

Our staff will do their very best to accommodate your needs and make you feel comfortable and at home during your stay. Your care will be provided by our multi-disciplinary team, which includes doctors, nurses, chaplains, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, music and art therapists, social workers, administration staff, and volunteers.

You may feel worried about staying at Sobell House as you don’t know what to expect or have preconceptions about what a hospice is like. Our team will support you with whatever issues or worries you may have, and work hard to ensure your personal needs are met. Your family and friends will also be looked after.

Preparing for your admission

What to bring with you
  • Toiletries
  • Nightwear
  • Daywear
  • Slippers
  • A small amount of money for personal needs e.g. purchases from a coffee shop
  • All tablets and medicines you are currently taking (including any complementary or herbal medications) and GP prescription requests
  • Books
  • Electronics such as your mobile phone, computer, tablet and chargers
  • Small items from home e.g. photographs

Towels and bed linen will be provided, but please note that we do not offer a laundry service, so you will need clean clothes that will be stored in your personal wardrobe. Free Wi-Fi is available and each room has a television with Freeview.

There are a variety of shops in the Churchill Hospital within walking distance for your friends or family. Toiletries, newspapers, books, chocolates and other items can be purchased from these shops during daytime opening hours.

Visiting

Visitors are very welcome between 8am and 8pm. These hours can be extended after discussion with the nursing team. Children are welcome but should always be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Meals

We are very fortunate to have our own kitchen onsite, where our chefs prepare homecooked meals daily. Specialist dietary requirements can be catered to if our chefs are notified in advance. Breakfast is served at 8am, lunch at 12:30pm and dinner at 6pm. If you miss a meal for any reason, we can make other arrangements for you. Tea, coffee, and snacks are always available on request.

Accessing interpretation services

If English is not your first language, we are able to provide interpreters. We would encourage you, or your family and friends, to use this service to help us assess your needs fully. Once you’ve had confirmation that you are being referred to us please let us know that you will require this service.

A bedroom on the inpatient unit

The gardens at Sobell House

A typical homemade meal

A typical homemade dessert

The Family Room

For more information, please visit the Oxford University Hospitals palliative care hub.