Palliative Care is the care for someone who has been diagnosed with a terminal or a long term illness. It is appropriate at any stage for people with a life limiting illness. It is provided by a health organisation, who send out people like doctors, nurses and other specialists to help support them and their families.
The palliative care team are there to help with any symptoms you have and to support you and your family throughout your treatment. Palliative care is a free service for all patients with advanced cancer. You do not need medical insurance. Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families when their cancer can no longer be cured. As well as providing relief from pain, nausea and other symptoms, palliative care offers support and comfort to patients and their families. For more information on palliative care, see this short video from the Irish Association for Palliative Care.
Your GP would help you set up Palliative Care. They would find input from the SPC team for a range of issues or symptoms. A few of these issues or symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Pressure Sores
Useful resources-
Think Ahead
The Irish Hospice Foundation:
The Irish Hospice Foundation can assist you in finding access to palliative care as well as giving helpful links to podcasts and recording on what palliative care is and how to cope.
Irish Cancer Society:
It can be a very difficult time for you and your family if you are told that your cancer is advanced or that it can not be cured. . You can call 1800 200 700 for a Cancer Nurseline Freefone or visit ICS’s Night Nurse page to find information on how to access a night nurse.
All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care – Click here for more information.