Overview

Palliative care is the total care of your mind, body and spirit. It can benefit the whole family, giving you, and your loved ones, support with your needs and quality of life.

Palliative care is often confused with end of life care. It's often started when a cure is no longer possible, but can also be given in the earlier stages of an illness. 

The NHS website has more information about palliative and end of life care. 

The palliative care team gives information and support to people with a serious illness. This includes:

• controlling symptoms
• planning care and treatment in advance
• financial, emotional, social and spiritual support
• supporting family members and those close to you
• access to other services that could help you, such as complementary therapies, psychological support and additional support at home

We're able to see people in hospital, in their own home, and in our outpatient clinics.

Our team includes:

• specialist nurses
• pharmacists
• social workers
• psychological support staff
• administrative staff

To support our patients and those important to them, we work closely with:

• GPs
• hospital doctors
• community nurses
• other local hospitals and hospices

Health information and support

Our treatment planning information helps you think about what happens when treatment is not successful and to have conversations about end of life care.

It includes short videos, developed with our staff and patients, about:

• managing uncertainty
• planning your care in advance
• where you can receive care
• decisions about CPR

Our consultants

Shaheen Khan

Dominique Wakefield

Teresa Beynon

Irene Carey

Nick Gough

Samantha Jayasekera-Heffer

Helen Thurkettle, nurse consultant

Vandana Vora

Steven Wanklyn, pharmacist consultant

Rob George

Research and clinical trials

Research is vital to improving the care that you receive when you're unwell. You can help improve healthcare by taking part in research studies at our Trust. During your appointment, ask your health professional about research. They'll be happy to tell you about research studies you could be eligible to join. 

We'll also tell you about any research studies you may be able to take part in.