Hospices

Hospice of the Good Shepherd

Gordon Lane, Backford, Chester CH2 4DG

Overview

Hospice of the Good Shepherd is a specialist palliative care organisation located in Backford, near Chester. The hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care and support services to patients with terminal illnesses and their families across the Chester and surrounding areas. As a dedicated hospice facility, it focuses on managing pain, providing symptom relief, and ensuring comfort during what can be a challenging time for patients and their loved ones.

The organisation offers both inpatient care at its Gordon Lane location and community-based services, allowing patients to receive support either at the hospice or in their own homes. The team typically comprises medical professionals, nurses, counsellors, and support staff trained in palliative care. Beyond direct patient care, the hospice usually provides bereavement support and counselling services to help families cope with loss and grief following the death of a loved one.

As a hospice in the North West, it serves an important role in the local healthcare system, complementing NHS services. The facility welcomes referrals from GPs, hospital consultants, and other healthcare professionals, and aims to provide holistic, person-centred care that respects individual wishes and dignity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Chester provides specialist palliative care for people with life-limiting conditions. Services may include inpatient care, day hospice services, hospice at home (care in your own home), outpatient clinics, bereavement support for families, lymphoedema clinic, complementary therapies, and counselling. All care focuses on comfort, quality of life, and dignity. Contact 01244 851091 for information about available services.
Yes, all hospice care at Hospice of the Good Shepherd is provided free of charge to patients and their families, regardless of financial circumstances. Hospices receive some NHS funding but rely heavily on charitable donations, fundraising, retail shops, and legacies to fund their services. It costs millions of pounds each year to run a hospice, with a significant proportion raised through community support.
Referrals to Hospice of the Good Shepherd are usually made by your GP, hospital consultant, or district nurse. You or your family can also contact Hospice of the Good Shepherd directly on 01244 851091 to discuss a referral. Referrals are based on clinical need — anyone with a life-limiting condition can be considered. You do not have to have cancer to be referred; hospices care for people with any advanced illness including heart failure, COPD, motor neurone disease, and dementia.
No, hospice care is not just about end-of-life care. Many patients visit Hospice of the Good Shepherd for symptom management (pain relief, breathlessness, nausea), rehabilitation and support to stay as well as possible, respite stays to give carers a break, and day hospice activities and therapies. Some patients attend for weeks or months and then return home. Hospice care aims to help you live as fully and comfortably as possible.
Yes, Hospice of the Good Shepherd welcomes visitors and families. Visiting is usually flexible, with no strict visiting hours in the inpatient unit. Family rooms and overnight facilities may be available for relatives who wish to stay close. Children are welcome to visit. The hospice environment is designed to be calm, comfortable, and homelike. Staff will support families throughout their loved one's stay.
Hospice of the Good Shepherd may offer complementary therapies including massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, Reiki, acupuncture, mindfulness and relaxation, creative arts therapy, and music therapy. These therapies complement medical treatment and can help with pain, anxiety, sleep, and overall wellbeing. All therapies are provided by qualified practitioners and are free to patients.
Yes, Hospice of the Good Shepherd can help you with advance care planning — documenting your wishes for future care. This may include an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (living will), Lasting Power of Attorney for health and welfare, preferred place of care and death, and a ReSPECT form (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment). Having these conversations and documents in place ensures your wishes are known and respected.
The day hospice at Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides a programme of care and activities for patients who live at home. You may attend one or two days per week for medical review and symptom management, complementary therapies (massage, aromatherapy, reflexology), creative activities (art, music), social interaction and peer support, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and psychological support. Transport to and from the day hospice may be arranged.
Yes, Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides bereavement support for families and loved ones after a patient has died. This may include one-to-one counselling, bereavement support groups, telephone support, memorial services, and children and young people's bereavement services. Support is available regardless of whether the person died at the hospice or elsewhere. Contact 01244 851091 for information about bereavement services.
Hospice of the Good Shepherd may offer a Hospice at Home service, bringing specialist palliative care to patients in their own homes. This may include visits from specialist nurses, overnight care and sitting services, symptom management, practical support, and emotional support for patients and families. Hospice at Home allows people to be cared for and, if they wish, to die in the comfort and familiarity of their own home.
You can support Hospice of the Good Shepherd by making a donation, volunteering your time, shopping at or donating to charity shops, taking part in fundraising events, leaving a gift in your will (legacy giving), organising your own fundraising activity, or becoming a regular donor. Contact 01244 851091 or visit the website to find out more about supporting your local hospice.
Hospice of the Good Shepherd supports people with any life-limiting condition, not just cancer. Conditions include advanced cancer, heart failure, COPD and other lung diseases, motor neurone disease (MND), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, advanced dementia, kidney failure, and liver failure. Referral is based on clinical need, and the hospice team works alongside your GP and hospital team.
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Contact Details
Phone
01244 851091
Address
Gordon Lane, Backford
Chester
CH2 4DG
Social Links
Opening Hours
Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 10:00 - 16:00
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