Specialist palliative care services are resources for healthcare professionals in all community care settings to access expert support for patients facing a life-threatening condition irrespective of diagnosis, in particular for:
It is important to recognise that the above are not mutually exclusive.
The aim of the service is to ensure that patients with complex palliative care needs receive:
The team comprises experienced registered nurses who have additional specialist knowledge and experience and work to specialist palliative care competencies.
In addition to managing a clinical caseload within agreed boundaries and protocols they have a role within teaching, consultancy, and research.
The team work with other specialist palliative care providers to support all healthcare professionals provide holistic palliative care.
We work closely with your community health care team, particularly your GP and community nurses.
We work to 4 levels of intervention.
If your needs require community specialist palliative care nurses involvement, your GP or hospital team can refer you.
Referrals to the community specialist palliative care nurse are appropriate when:
For many patients in the late stages of their illness, palliative care needs can be fairly straightforward and met by the Primary Care Team (district nurse and GP).