Your possibilities for having an open admission

When you have a life-threatening illness, you may need relief throughout the course of your disease.
Your need for relief can change and be greater or smaller.

Most hospitals are able to offer patients "open" admissions, i.e. patients can come straight to the department in the event of acute problems, around the clock.
This means that home care services, your doctor, you or your relatives can call the hospital department you're linked to and request hospitalisation.

It may, for example, be that you're experiencing a worsening of your condition or can't cope with the situation at home.
Hospitalisation can last briefly or can last longer, depending on how quickly your symptoms are relieved.

An agreement with your hospital for open admission may be comforting.
It means that if you need hospitalisation it can happen quickly and directly in a department you know, and that knows you.
Naturally, this also offers a sense of security to your family and the professionals who help you in daily life.

If you believe open admission may be right for you, speak to your doctor or hospital department about it.
If you are able to have open admission, the hospital will notify the home care services and your doctor, directly.

During the terminal phase, some people prefer to stay in the hospital and die there.
This may be a good option especially if you experience the hospital as nice and safe.

A small number of hospitals have beds earmarked for patients with severe palliative needs.
The staff there have specialised training in palliative care, and beds are in private wards and sometimes family wards, where there is space for the relatives.