Visiting the hospice
(Information updated February 2025)
Visiting information
There are currently no set visiting times at the Hospice and you are free to visit anytime you wish throughout the day or night.
However, we ask you do not visit if:
- You’ve recently been in contact with someone with a respiratory illness.
- You are feeling unwell yourself.
- You’ve had diarrhoea and/or vomiting. Please wait until you are 48 hours symptom-free before visiting.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we work together to protect everyone in our care.
During your visit
- The smoking shelter is for patients only. Please refrain from meeting in this area.
- The garden and all St Helena grounds at Myland Hall are part of the ward environment and subject to the same rules regarding visiting.
If you are unable to visit please ask ward staff about other ways to stay in contact such as through video calls. iPads are available on the ward for patients' use and staff will be happy to assist.
The safety of all our patients, staff and you is our priority. Therefore, we reserve the right to ask you to leave the premises if you do not adhere to the current guidance.
If you have any queries, please call the hospice reception on 01206 845 566.
Parking
We have designated electric car charging ports outside of the Hospice and Joan Tomkins Centre.
Parking is available at the front of the Hospice for all visitors and there are designated disabled bays.
Visitors are asked to sign in and out at reception upon arrival and as you leave. Entry to the Hospice is through the main door at reception. If you are visiting out of office hours please press the buzzer at the main entrance to be let in.
What to bring with you
If you or a family member is staying with us at the Hospice, you will want to bring some personal items such as:
- Toiletries – soap, shower gel, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste
- Clothes
- Nightwear and slippers
- Medication – please bring any medications which are regularly taken for our doctors to review these upon admission. We will ask that any medications which are not required are taken home by a family member.
- Mobility equipment
- Mobile phone or tablet
Overnight stays
If you are a visitor wishing to stay the night with a loved one, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Our overnight accommodation is allocated on a day by day basis and according to the needs of our patients and families each day.
Visiting the memory tree, multi-faith chapel and book of remembrance
Visiting is open for the purposes of visiting the memory tree, book of remembrance or the multi-faith chapel. You are welcome to visit these any time between 8am - 8pm and do not need to book before you visit. Please be aware you will still be required to wear a face mask and comply with hand hygiene guidance.
Pets
We understand that pets are part of the family. Well trained pets are allowed to visit the Hospice, however we ask that you notify staff before they visit and that dogs are kept on a lead at all times please. Due to hygiene and infection control regulations, pets are not allowed in the dining room or kitchen areas.
Meals
Meals and refreshments are available through our on-site kitchen located within the Myland Hall dining room and meals will be provided to patients free of charge. Any visiting family and friends are welcome to use our dining room facilities at any time and lunch as well as drinks and snacks are available to buy in the dining room area.
Getting here
By car:
If you are travelling by car to the Hospice we are located at Myland Hall, Barncroft Close, Highwoods, Colchester CO4 9JU and you cna use our free car park which is located on-site.
By train:
The nearest train station to St Helena Hospice is Colchester train station located on North Station Road where there are many services throughout Essex and London operated by Greater Anglia. There is a taxi rank and local bus stops located by the train station to help you reach us once you arrive.
By bus:
There are multiple bus routes which pass by or near to St Helena Hospice. These bus routes include:
- 132
- 2
- 250
- 371
- 482
- S2
If you have any questions or concerns
If you have any concerns or questions about visiting the Hospice please do not hesitate to call us and speak to a member of our team on 01206 845 566; we are happy to help in any way we can. The Hospice can be contacted 24/7 and phone calls can be made to patients via the above number at any time of day.
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