Book launched to help those in need of palliative care

The booklet, which focuses on palliative care, provides information on services which can help patients while they are in hospital or living at home.

Palliative care is available to people whose illness can no longer be cured. It seeks to help to achieve the best quality of life for people with advanced, life-threatening diseases such as cancer, heart or lung disease, kidney failure and other conditions like motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis.

Lorna Nevin, Service Lead for Palliative Care, Northern Health and Social Care Trust said; “At times of illness and stress it can be so difficult to know who to turn to for help. This booklet will help patients and their families understand more about palliative care and the services which could be of help to them. It includes details of how the GP, district nurse, hospital diversion nursing team and social worker can each help to support the patient and their family in their own home. There is also information on how organisations, such as Marie Curie, can enhance the experience of care within the patient’s own home.

“The booklet also includes details about the range of Specialist palliative care services available to help patients who are experiencing more complex troublesome symptoms. These specialist services can offer support to people within their own home, or whilst they are in hospital and include the specialist inpatient Macmillan Unit in Antrim.”

The palliative care information booklet can be found on the Northern Trust website www.northerntrust.hscni.net or if you would like more information about palliative care services available in the Trust area please contact Fiona Gilmour on 9442 6507 or email [email protected].