Palliative Medicine
ST CATHERINE’S HOSPICE, SCARBOROUGH and SCARBOROUGH GENERAL HOSPITAL
Address: St Catherine’s Hospice
Throxenby Lane
Scarborough
YO12 5RE
Tel: 01723 351421
Consultants: Dr Colin Campbell (Educational Supervisor)
Dr Miriam Johnson (Educational Supervisor)
St Catherine’s is an independent charity hospice serving a large part of North Yorkshire, with a catchment population of 250,000. The inpatient unit currently has 13 beds, with an agreed plan to increase to 20 beds by 2009, when appropriate staffing levels permit.
Currently there are around 350 admissions per year. 12 places per day are offered in the day hospice, 3 days per week. St Catherine’s consultants have a particular interest in the palliative care of neurological diseases, both MS and MND, and also severe heart failure. The hospice provides a regional lymphoedema service, which is led by 2 specialist physiotherapists, with medical input. The hospice has an active community palliative care team, comprising 5 Macmillan nurses, based in the hospice.
The hospice consultants work closely with the 2 hospital Macmillan nurses at Scarborough Hospital, seeing inpatients and outpatients. The ST3-6 doctor sees inpatients with the Macmillan nurses one morning per week. Twice per week, the consultants hold joint oncology/ palliative care clinics held in Scarborough General Hospital.
Since 2005, when Scarborough became a campus for the Hull York Medical School (HYMS), St Catherine’s has been taking up to 4 medical students per term. All of the palliative care doctors share in the teaching responsibilities of medical students.
Medical Staffing
There are two consultants, both accredited specialists in palliative medicine. There is a full-time associate specialist, a GP registrar, plus the ST3-6 doctor.
Educational needs
There are weekly grand rounds at the hospital, and weekly teaching/ journal presentation sessions in the hospice. ST3-6 doctors are encouraged to participate in audit and research. There are opportunities to be give lectures and presentations in St Catherine’s regional educational programme.