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About this service
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Specialist Palliative & End of Life Care team looks after the needs of patients in hospital with life threatening illness who have symptom control issues or a limited prognosis.
We work to maintain or improve a patient’s quality of life based on their individual needs at the time. We take a holistic approach, working alongside consultants and ward teams, to look at the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social aspects of their care. This includes supporting the needs of our patients’ families and carers as well.
We take referrals regardless of diagnosis if the patient has an incurable illness with a life-limiting prognosis and specialist needs. We see patients with cancer and non-cancer diagnoses. Areas we help our patients and their families with include:
- Pain management.
- Other physical symptom control such as breathlessness, depression, bowel or urinary symptoms, nausea and vomiting.
- Psychological support, and referrals where necessary, for patients, family and carers.
- Supporting assessment for place of care.
- Care of the dying when problems occur.
- Therapy referrals.
- Spiritual support.
We also provide information and advice to other teams in the hospital, helping them in difficult or distressing clinical situations.
Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning encourages you to discuss and write down how you would like to be cared for and what you would like to happen if you are unable to communicate your wishes.
Find out more about Advance Care Planning.
Contact information
The Specialist Palliative and End of Life Care team works across many different wards and departments, so the best way to contact them is to ask a member of staff on the ward to bleep 3055.
Alternatively, you can contact us via the hospital switchboard (01872 250000) where a message can be left on extension 8346.
Where to find us
The Specialist Palliative and End of Life Care team works across many different wards and departments. To find someone from the team, please speak to the team looking after you at the hospital.
Patient Information (Leaflets)
Page last reviewed: 11 May 2023
