Information for patients and their carers
The service provides adult specialist palliative care in North Cumbria.
Palliative care is the active holistic care of patients with advanced progressive illness. Management of pain and other symptoms and provisions of psychological, social and spiritual support is paramount. The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best quality of life for patients and their families. Many aspects of palliative care are also applicable earlier in the course of the illness in conjunction with other treatments. (NICE 2004).
As specialist palliative care practitioners we work in partnership with many other Primary, secondary and third sector organisations.
What is specialist palliative care?
Specialist palliative care is the advice and support provided by a team of healthcare professionals specifically trained to care for people whose illness cannot be cured and may have complex needs, requiring specialist input. Care may include:
- Assessing and managing difficult symptoms
- Help and support with emotional/psychological and spiritual distress
- Advice on social, financial and practical issues
- Information about your treatment and care
We work closely with your own GP, district nurses and other professionals involved in your care, offering advice and support. We assist with, but do not take over your care.
Your records
All community services in our Trust now use electronic patient information systems. Please be aware that during your episode of care with our service we may share information electronically or verbally with other professionals where appropriate, to provide you with best possible care. All NHS staff members have a duty to keep information confidential. You can let us know if you don’t want your information to be shared. Your care records are protected by the Data Protection Act 1998, GDPR 2018. If you have any concerns, please inform a member of staff.
Referrals
Access to advice from the Specialist Palliative Care team is available within the hospital, community, care homes and voluntary sector.
Referrals will initially be accepted from any source including GP, District Nurse and hospital staff amongst others, with the agreement of the patient. Referral is for those patients with a palliative illness whose needs are over and above that which can be provided by their principle carers. Self referrals will be accepted provided they meet the referral criteria.
Following a referral we will contact you initially by phone. We will then determine whether on-going support will be provided by phone, video consultation or face to face assessment, within your current place of care.
It is important to recognise that not all adults who have a palliative illness will require intervention from specialist palliative care services. Additionally if, or when the disease is stable, or the symptoms have been adequately controlled, our normal practice is to discharge patients from the Specialist Palliative Care team to continue their care with their GP, consultant and district nurses. If required a further referral back to the specialist palliative can team can be made in future.
We can also tell you about the other services available locally to help you make informed decisions about your care and support needs.
What we ask from you
Smoking: To protect staff from second-hand smoke we ask patients and other people not to smoke while the member of the team is visiting.
Pets: Please keep any pets under control while we visit, if possible in another room.
Dignity and confidentiality
We treat all our patients, relatives and their friends with dignity and respect, so that you feel in control, valued and informed to make decisions about your care and treatment.
We ask you to treat us in the same way.
The Trust has a ‘zero tolerance policy’ to violence, threats, abuse, or harassment of staff.
Contact us
Specialist Palliative Care Team – North Cumbria
Tel: 01900 705200
The service is available: Monday to Friday 9.00am–5.00pm, excluding bank holidays
Hospital Team at the Cumberland Infirmary Tel: 01228 608140
The service is available: Monday to Friday 9.00-5.00pm, excluding bank holidays
Local hospices
Hospice at Home, West Cumbria
Tel: 01900 705200
Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakes
Tel: 01228 608942
Eden Valley Hospice
Tel: 01228 810801
Find out more:
Cumbria Health on Call (Out of Hours Doctors & District Nurses)
Tel: 0300 30 34 365
Macmillan Information and Support
Tel: 0808 8080000
Whilst all of the team are employed by the NHS some of the nurses within the team have links with the Macmillan Cancer Support and their resources.
Confidentiality
‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.
For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:
Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961
Feedback
We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:
pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818
If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:
complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302