Palliative care
The aim of palliative care is to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families. This is brought about by:
- Controlling pain and other symptoms
- Helping patients and their families cope with the physical changes caused by the illness
- Helping people to deal with what the illness means to them
- Offering a support system to help family and friends cope during and after the patient’s illness
There are two full time and two part time Clinical Nurse Specialists: Palliative Care, one of whom is supported by Macmillan. They are all qualified nurses with specialist training in cancer and palliative care.
The nurses will ensure appropriate liaison with other members of the multi-disciplinary team takes place and liaise closely with the community palliative care team, as well as other local support agencies, as required.
Contact
The Clinical Nurse Specialists: Palliative Care can be contacted Monday – Friday, 8am - 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm on 0151 556 5257.
A telephone answering machine is available and calls will normally be returned within 24 hours during the working week unless the outward message directs otherwise.
Professionals requiring advice can also contact the Clinical Nurse Specialists: Palliative Care on the above number.
The Palliative and Supportive Care Team Coordinator
The Palliative and Supportive Care Team Coordinator provides full office management and administrative support to the Palliative Care team and Psychological Medicine.
The role involves:
- The management and monitoring of the day-to-day administrative responsibilities of both services
- The input of data and typing of clinic letters, medical reports and general administrative correspondence to support the consultants and other team members
- Effectively coordinating the Palliative Medicine service and the Psychological Medicine Outpatient Clinic service
