Analysis of the Southern Area Hospice Information Booklet for Patients & Relatives - Is the language straight forward and accurate?

are volunteers and if they turn up to work they will, but this is not always the case proving thsi is not accurate and the volunteers help round the hospital in other areas aswell as at reception.The sentence on referrals is not clearly explained and does not explain how a referral takes place or what it is, as we have looked at referrals we can see that the information is not clear, well explained or accurate.The information is well set out but is very formal and is not showing a friendly atmosphere and is acting very coldly towards people reading the leaflet and may discourage them to come.The sentence on laundry comes across quite harse and basically says that it is the responsibility of the patient’s relatives or friends.IT mentios the fire alarm is checked every Monday at 3.00pm, but doesn’t mentio what to do in the event of a fire or fire procedures and meeting points.In the visiting paragraph the word descression is not a word that many people would understand and it is not used in the approriate way.They say the Hospice is a non-smoking area but is contracting what they are saying as there is a smoking room and patients are allowed to smoke in their bedrooms.In the Nursing section, patients allocation operates within the hospice is a statement which is not very well explained and could confuse readers as to what it means.For Day of Discharge I feel it is appropriate to have this in the information booklet and personnally I feel it is something that should be carried out by the social worker.In services in the home, eligible is not a commonly used word and I feel the information booklet could have used a straightforward simple word which is understandable. Do patients have access to this information booklet? The booklet is only available in the Southern Area Hospice building, St Johns House, I feel that the leaflet should be able to also be obtained in private and residential nursing homes, clinics, G.P surgeries, hospitals, care homes, day care centres and even a helpline where you can get the leaflet delivered to your home.   Is this booklet regularly reviewed and updated? This booklet was last updated and reviewed 7 years ago in 1997 and could be misinforming patients and is not accurate and correct. Use of illustrations There are no pictures, diagrams or maps to support what is being said.  If their was a map to show where the Hospice is located in Newry.  They could have included pictures of the Hospice and carers.  Illustrations would have made the booklet more appealing and shown what happens in the Hospice amd made it more colourful and interesting to read. Additional Information If the booklet could have included comments from patients or relatives of patients which would make people feel at ease about coming to the Hospice and makes it more real for them also. Special Considerations Thinking about people who have disabilities or are of another language, such as Chinease, Portuguese, Luithuanian, Bolgarians or those from different cultures.  For those who have a visual impariment the booklet should produced in brail. For thos who have disabilities who are unable to comprehend the information  they would need to have an advocate to simplify the information on their behalf.