Hospice care is more than you think: myths vs facts

6 October 2025

As part of Hospice Care Week this October, we’ve pulled together a short guide to bust some myths about hospice care and share more about what happens here at Katharine House. 

Myth: A hospice is a place where people go to die

The facts 

We support many patients for months and even years. Katharine House is not just about the last few days of life.  

Did you know that around a quarter of our patients who visit our hospice ward go home again after receiving our specialist care? 

We offer a range of services at the hospice from supporting patients to live well for longer, all the way to end-of-life care when it is needed.  

Myth: Katharine House is fully funded by the NHS

The facts

Katharine House is not part of the NHS. We went into partnership with Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust (OUH) to protect the services that we provide to our communities.  

We pay OUH an annual grant to provide our clinical services. Whilst we receive some government funding, we still need to raise two-thirds of the total cost of running the hospice every single year. All our services are FREE for patients and families.

Myth: Katharine House only cares for people in Banbury

The facts

What’s your postcode? We support patients in and around north Oxfordshire and south Northamptonshire in the postcode areas of OX7, OX15, OX16, OX17, OX25, OX26, OX27, NN11 and NN13. 

This includes areas and villages around Banbury, Bicester, Brackley, Byfield, Chipping Norton, Priors Marston, Shipston-on-Stour and Woodford Halse.   

As well as supporting our patients, we have charity shops based in Banbury, Bicester, Brackley, Chipping Norton, Moreton-in-Marsh and Shipston-on-Stour. 

Myth: Hospices are just for older people

The facts 

At Katharine House, we support and care for a range of adult patients with life-limiting illnesses. Whilst there are patients who are older, we also support adults who may have received their diagnosis earlier in their life.  

Of course lots of visitors are children and young people, and the hospice is bright, friendly and welcoming to everyone, including pet dogs!  

Myth: You can only receive hospice care in the hospice itself

The facts

Our team provide care at the hospice, at patients’ homes and in hospitals. We actually support more people in the community than on the hospice site!  

We have a specialist inpatient care team who work 24/7 to provide care at the hospice. There are ten beds in our inpatient area and the team will always work to ensure that the individual needs of patients are addressed. 

We also have a community care team who provide specialist care to patients in their own homes, plus care homes and nursing homes.  

We can support patients needing specialist care in hospital through our hospital care team.  

Myth: Your family has no involvement in your care once you enter  hospice care

The facts 

We provide individualised care and ensure we focus on what is important to each patient. Families are welcomed at the hospice and patients can involve their family in discussions and decisions about their care.  

We support families throughout and also have a specific support group for carers. 

As well as caring for adults with life-limiting conditions, we are here to provide a listening ear for family and friends with our bereavement support. Coping with the loss of someone special is difficult and can be painful.