Specialist palliative care services
Palliative care
services provide expert help to patients coping with the symptoms and
side effects of cancer (including Pain), and concentrate on helping
improve the wellbeing or quality of life of patients. These services
are provided by specialist palliative care professionals, including
doctors and nurses, either in hospitals, hospices or the patient’s own
home. Cancer patients can benefit from palliative care services from
diagnosis onwards. Some palliative care services are provided by the
NHS and some by charities or a combination of both. For more information on palliative care services please visit our main Palliative care section
Hospice care
Hospices
provide palliative care services for patients who need more intensive
periods of assessment or care, and for when their families need a
break. Cancer patients may be admitted just as inpatients, but there
are also day hospices where patients just go for the day. Some
hospices provide ‘hospice at home’ services. Hospice care can be a
very important part of care when patients are dying, whether a patient
chooses to die at home or in a hospice. Other services such as
befriending and counselling may be provided by hospices. Some hospice
care services are provided by the NHS and some by charities. Please visit our main Palliative care section for more information about hospices
Page last edited: 25 November 2011
