Getting here
By car
Please use postcode RM4 1PL for sat nav / GPS. We have limited, free parking on site. Please note the main roads leading to the Hospice are within the ULEZ boundaries.
By train
Romford station is the mainline station approximately 4.5 miles from the hospice. There is a taxi rank opposite the station and you will find bus stops for both 375 and 103 buses.
By bus
The 375 bus stops outside the Hospice on North Road. 375 bus timetable
The next nearest bus stop is over a mile away on Chase Cross Road. However, the 103 runs a more regular service. 103 bus timetable
Click here to plan your journey by public transport with TFL Journey Planner.
Additional information
The hospice
At the hospice, you can spend time in our beautiful grounds, the family room, the chapel or the lounge, where there are tea and coffee making facilities and a television. Children and young people can access the internet and play games in the Hub.
Lunch
The dining room serves lunch between 12pm and 1.30pm, 7 days a week.
Special requirements
If you have any special requirements, please contact us, we will be pleased to help you.
Take a virtual tour
We have created a virtual tour of our Hospice so that you can take a look around and get an idea of what to expect.
We hope you enjoy taking our tour in the comfort of your own home.
Visitor FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions that might answer some of your questions before you visit the Hospice.
What are the visiting hours?
Visiting hours for the Hospice Ward are 10am - 8pm.
If you are planning on visiting someone at the hospice, please adhere to the following guidance. We need to make all efforts to keep our patients, visitors, staff and volunteers as safe as we can. Thank you for helping us to keep everyone safe.
How can I visit the hospice safely during the Covid-19 pandemic?
From 4 April 2022, visitors to Saint Francis Hospice are no longer required to take a Covid test. We ask that visitors take the necessary precautions to keep themselves and loved ones safe, in line with guidance for the general population.
There will be a small allocation of Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests available for visitors who provide close, personal care to patients. These tests will be allocated at the hospice manager's discretion, dependent on the kind of care that is being provided.
How many people can visit?
For inpatients with us for a period of symptom control, a maximum of 4 visitors per day between the hours of 10am and 8pm is allowed.
For individual patients in the last few days of life, a maximum of 4 visitors at the bedside at any one time. Visitors can change throughout the day however this is limited to significant people / others and a maximum of 6 visitors in a 24 hour period.
Overnight a maximum of 2 visitors can stay at the bedside.
The visitors lounge has tea and coffee making facilities. Visitors can take some time out there. Please do not spend long periods of time in the lounge or mix with other visitors.
The chapel-quiet space is also open for anyone to use to take time out. Please do try not spend long periods of time in the chapel-quiet space or mix with other visitors, to ensure this a safe space for all.
What spaces are there for visitors?
We have a patient lounge which is open for tea/coffee making facilities and for visitors to take some time out. Please do not spend long periods of time in the lounge as we need to ensure that we can accommodate everyone visiting, whilst protecting visitors from mixing with each other. The nursing team will be able to provide you with a hot drink.
Our quiet space/chapel is also open to enable quiet time and time out, however for the same reason we ask that visitors do not spend long periods of time in this space.
You are welcome to use the gardens for quiet time and time out.
Will I have to wear PPE (personal protection equipment)?
As visitors arrive at reception they will be asked to use hand gel, They will be given a surgical facemask to wear and will be guided into the lounge to the hand washing facilities.
Visitors must wear a surgical face mask at all times. We fully support the nursing team in asking visitors to leave if PPE is not being worn. If there are individual difficulties with surgical masks, do highlight this with the nurse team; a manager will be asked to resolve individual cases.
We encourage the use of iPad/Facebook portals for video chats. The ward staff can help patients and families to communicate in this way, recognising how hard it is that visiting is restricted.
Is there parking at the hospice?
Yes, there is free parking available at the hospice with plenty of space.
Can I get food and drinks at the hospice?
Yes, there are tea and coffee making facilities in the family room, and the Orange Cafe which serves hot and cold food 7 days a week.
I have concerns about visiting the Hospice
Do alert a nurse if there are concerns about any of the above. The Inpatient team will do what we can to resolve difficulties, for example if you are unwell or have a positive lateral flow test at a time when your loved one is very unwell. Please ring 01708 753319 and ask for the inpatient unit nurse in charge.
