To bleep – call 0208 510 5555 and ask for bleep 819,299 or 289
A team member is available
Monday – Friday
Between 9.00am
– 5.00pm
Homerton Health and Cancer Information
Centre:
Provides a confidential, drop-in service for anyone affected by cancer.
Open Monday to Friday (except Bank
Holidays), 9am - 5pm
Contact no: 02085105191
Advocacy
We have an in-house health advocacy service for patients and carers who do not speak or read English. Please let the health care team know if an advocate would be helpful. You may prefer to come with a family member or a friend who could translate for you.
Patient Advice and Liaison Team (PALS)
PALS can provide information and support to patients and carers and will listen to your concerns, suggestions or queries.
Contact us on 02085107315
Email: pals@homerton.nhs.uk
Formal Complaints
If you wish to make a formal complaint you need to write to:
Complaints Service,
Homerton University Hospital NHS Trust,
Homerton Row,
E9 6SR
Comments, compliments or complaints
We welcome any suggestions you have about the quality of our care and services.
Related website information:
 http://www.nhs.uk
 http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/guide/ bereavement/Pages/Accessingpalliati vecare.aspx
 http://www.ncpc.org.uk/
 http://www.nhs.uk/planners/end-oflife-care/pages/end-of-life-care.aspx
 http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/
 www.macmillan.org.uk
 http://www.stjh.org.uk/Homepage
We aim to make the information as up to date and accurate as possible, but please be warned that it is always subject to change.
Reference
The following team members have been consulted and agreed this patient information:
Consultant, Clinical Nurse Specialist
(Keyworker), Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Manager and Patient
Homerton University Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust Homerton
Row, London, E9 6SR
T 020 8510 5555
W www.homerton.nhs.uk
E enquiries@homerton.nhs.uk
Palliative Care Team
Homerton University Hospital
Review date 2016
Incorporating hospital and community health services, teaching and research

This leaflet provides information about specialist palliative care for patients and carers.
What is specialist palliative care?
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness.
Through holistic assessment the aim is to identify and address physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.
What do we do?
We work in an advisory capacity alongside the doctors and nurses involved in your care at Homerton Hospital.
We aim to carry out a personalised assessment to identify your needs.
Specialist palliative care:

Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms

Combines the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient’s care

Offers a support system to help patient’s live as independently as possible

Facilitates discussion and decision making with regard to management of future care

Offers bereavement support to families and carers
(WHOhttp://www.who.int/cancer/palliative/d efinition/en/)
Who needs specialist palliative care?
Anyone living with an incurable illness may benefit from palliative care. For example people with all types of cancer, heart disease, advanced respiratory disease, dementia or those at the end stages of progressive neurological disease.
It can help at all stages of the illness from diagnosis onwards, while treatment is in progress or at the end of life.
Where is specialist palliative care provided?

Throughout the adult wards of the
Homerton University Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust including A&E

Our specialist palliative care medical consultant runs a weekly out patient clinic

Mary Seacole Nursing Home

On occasion we work jointly in other
Consultant Outpatient clinics
Who provides specialist palliative care?
Palliative care is provided by a multiprofessional team working together to support you and those close to you.
The palliative care team consists of:

Palliative Medicine Consultant
• Lead Nurse for Cancer and
Palliative Care
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Clinical Psychologist
• Social Worker
• Macmillan Cancer Information &
Support Manager
• Access to a Community Palliative
Care Occupational Therapist for specialist advice
• Team Secretary
We hold a weekly multi-disciplinary team meeting consisting of health and social care professionals to discuss your care and future needs.
Who can refer you?
Anyone involved in your care can refer you for specialist palliative care.
Do I have to pay for specialist palliative care?
No, there is no charge for palliative care provided by the NHS.
Services offered by hospices are also provided free of charge.
How may the specialist palliative care team be contacted?
Your doctor or nurse can bleep or telephone us during your stay in hospital.