Palliative Care

Palliative Care support individuals, families and carers who are affected by life-limiting conditions, as well as providing advice and support to ward staff. The service works closely with other clinical teams throughout the Trust as well as psychologists, social workers, spiritual healthcare/chaplaincy and bereavement services.

Services offered by Palliative Care include:

• Assess and support the holistic needs of carers and families including symptom management, emotional support, information and advance care planning.
• Provide time to discuss concerns regarding you or your relative’s/friend’s illness and treatment.
• Support and help you and your relatives/carers with discharge arrangements to achieve preferred place of care.
• Liaise with community teams to help facilitate seamless care.

With the patient’s consent, the palliative care team receive referrals by ward team members where a patient is being cared for. The team has links with Sue Ryder who provide palliative care support in the community and as an inpatient at Duchess of Kent Hospice.

The service is open seven days a week, including bank holidays, between 8am and 4pm. For queries outside these hours, please use the department's answerphone service.