The Macmillan Community Specialist Palliative Care Team is made up of health professionals who provide support and advice to individuals affected by cancer or other advanced incurable illnesses, and their families.
We work alongside other health and social care providers such as GPs, hospital ward teams, community nurses, social workers and other therapists. The goal of palliative care is to promote quality of life for people with life limiting illnesses.
The Specialist Palliative Care Team consists of a team of Clinical Nurse Specialists, all of whom are experienced and trained in specialist palliative care. The team is multi-disciplinary, with full integration with district nurses, community teams, general practices, local hospices and hospitals so seamless care can be offered to patients and families.
The team recognise that emotional, family, financial and spiritual concerns may be just as important to you as physical problems. The goal of palliative care is to achieve the best possible quality of life for patients, and to help with concerns of the patients and their family.
The team aims to provide the following:
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Advice on the management of pain and other symptoms that may be of the most concern to you
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An opportunity for you to discuss physical, emotional and social needs
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An opportunity for you to express your thoughts and feelings
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Offer advice and support to your family and carers if you would like it
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Support you to make choices and plan for your future
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Provide direction to other appropriate health and social care services required.
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Signpost to other services including financial advice
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Work closely with GPs, District Nurses, Acute Nurse Practitioners, Complex Care teams and hospital teams.
Patients can be referred to this service by General Practitioners, Consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Community Nurses and other clinical staff.
New referrals are not routinely accepted from patients or families directly – they will be advised to contact their GP or another healthcare professional involved.
The service is based in five hubs across the county and the teams work in their local neighbourhoods.
