Palliative care
Our specialist palliative care teams work to improve quality of life for patients and their families facing life-threatening or life-limiting illness. They assess the holistic needs of patients and encourage them to take an active role in decisions around their care.
We see patients with advanced progressive illnesses (both cancer and non-cancer) and the team has specialist skills in pain and symptom management.
In the early stages of illness, palliative care may be provided alongside other treatments. For patients at the end of their life, we are committed to providing comfort and dignity in death. Families, partners and carers may also need expert support in bereavement.
We also work closely with GPs and local services including community palliative care teams, district nurses, social workers and carers to ensure the best possible care at home, where this is possible.
Hospital palliative care teams
Our palliative care teams see patients from across the hospital whose pain or other symptoms are difficult to control, where patients or their families are distressed and where help is needed to plan future care. They may be contacted for advice and support by any member of staff.
Team members will make initial assessments, offer advice, liaise with other staff and maintain contact during the patient’s time in hospital. They may also follow-up with patients who have been discharged and are receiving outpatient care.
The teams consist of nurse specialists, doctors, social workers and clinical psychologists. We also have access to the full range of multi-disciplinary services including complementary therapies and chaplaincy.
