East Dorset community palliative care support - information for patients, relatives and carers

Community palliative care 

The community palliative care support  service is available seven days a week, from 8am-8pm, for patients with a life-limiting diagnosis (cancer and non-cancer) registered with a GP in the East Dorset area.

“Palliative care is the active total care of patients and their families by a multi-professional team when the patient’s disease is no longer responsive to curative treatment. Control of pain, of other symptoms and of psychological, social and spiritual problems is paramount…The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.”  The World Health Organisation, 1990

Patients must:

  • be over 18
  • require palliative care at home due to a life-limiting diagnosis (not necessarily cancer)
  • currently receive district nursing support
  • have urgent care needs that cannot be met via usual funded sources
  • meet the criteria for fast-track NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) application/brokerage.

Aims of the service

We are here to enhance existing palliative care and provide additional support to patients and their carers at home.You need to be referred by a qualified clinician and, if your condition stabilises, you may be discharged with a view to being referred again at a later date, following a discussion with our district nurse team and palliative care lead nurse.

The palliative care support service can offer:

  • care of pressure areas, skin and minor wounds
  • administration of medication, as per policies and procedures
  • assistance with dietary needs
  • bowel and continence care
  • venepuncture (taking blood from a vein)
  • emotional support
  • promotion of independence, where appropriate
  • personal care (including toileting and dressing)
  • mobility and transfers
  • meal preparation and assistance with feeding and drinking.

Your continuing health needs will be assessed by the district nursing team, as appropriate.

Contact 

East Dorset palliative care support

St Leonards Hospital

241 Ringwood Road

St Leonards

Hants BH24 2RR

Call: 01202 584209 (Out of Hours: 0300 369 0530).

End of Life - palliative care