Pallative care is the active, holistic care of patients with advanced progressive illness. Management of pain and other symptoms and provision of psychological, social and spiritual support is paramount. The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best quality of life for patients and their families. Many aspects of palliative care are also applicable earlier in the course of the illness in conjunction with other treatments.
Palliative care aims to:
- Affirm life and regard dying as a normal process
- Provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
- Integrate the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
- Offer a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
- Offer a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their own bereavement.
(National Council for Clinical Excellence definition)
Our Palliative Care team
Our palliative care team provides support on all wards. They aim to provide:
- Pain and symptom control
- Emotional support
- Carer support
- Help with planning future palliative care
- Support with end of life care.
When is the service available?
The service is available Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 6.00pm. An on call service is available at other times for advice.
Who is in the Palliative Care team?
The Hospital Palliative Care Team includes specially trained nurses (often called Macmillan Nurses), and specialist doctors (Consultants in Palliative Medicine). If you would like help from the team ask your ward staff to refer you to us.
Other services available in Rotherham
- Rotherham Hospice Inpatient unit
- Rotherham Hospice Day Unit
- Community Palliative Care Team (Community Macmillan Nurses)
- Hospice at Home Team.
Our team will discuss these options with you and your family and refer you if appropriate. We also have links with palliative care teams in other hospitals.
