COVID-19 advice and information

Please note the hospice is now closed to the general public. Please read below for further information.

We’re sure you will be aware of COVID-19 which has dominated the news in recent weeks and those of you who are visiting people who are receiving end of life care will have many questions.

Symptoms of the virus include a cough, fever and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be more severe in people with weakened immune systems, older people and those with long term conditions.

The people Prospect Hospice cares for both at the hospice in Wroughton and in the community throughout Swindon and north Wiltshire represent an exceptionally vulnerable group. Prospect Hospice does not have any cases of the illness and we will continue to follow government guidelines when determining necessary steps to protect staff, volunteers, patients and visitors.

As we care for people who are susceptible to more severe strains of COVID-19 we feel it is essential to take precautionary measures and we are therefore asking that the general public do not enter the hospice building at this time. Those who are visiting patients are still welcome to see their loved one and special arrangements are now in place to ensure that you are distanced from other patients and their families. We ask visitors who are experiencing symptoms to contact the hospice before they visit.

We want to ensure our patients see their loved ones so, where possible, we will make arrangements for this to happen, but we must ensure our staff, volunteers, patients and visitors are kept safe.

Further to this, the hospice has taken the decision to postpone all events being held at the hospice and outside events involving a large number of people. These are:

• All hospice fundraising events
• All death cafes
• All bereavement groups

We have also taken the decision to close our shops and distribution centres and our remembrance garden is also closed to the public at this time.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation. We greatly value and need the support of local people at this time and, whilst we welcome donations, due to the current situation, we are not accepting monetary donations in the hospice’s main building. If you would like to send a vital donation and support the hospice, supporters can donate online here.

For more recent information regarding our privacy notice regarding Covid-19 for patients, services, careers and family members please click here.

Further information is available on the government website which is updated daily.