Inpatients
Once you have been referred to our service we will visit you on
the ward to discuss your current situation. This may include an
assessment of pain and other physical symptoms and emotional and
psychological support. In conjunction with other teams we can
address any social, spiritual or psychological needs you may have.
We may continue to see you throughout your stay in hospital and
alongside the ward team will try to help you manage your illness.
We liaise with community teams, for example your GP, district nurse
or hospice nurse as appropriate, when you are discharged.
Outpatients
Your GP or hospital doctor can refer you to our Supportive and
Palliative Care clinic. The clinic is held in the Bristol
Haematology and Oncology Centre (Zone D, level 5). You will
be seen by one of the doctors in the team.
How to see a member of the Supportive and Palliative Care Team
during a routine outpatient clinic appointment:
Your clinic Doctor or Nurse Specialist can arrange by prior
agreement with our team for us to see you during one of your
visits. If there is an urgent problem, we will do our best to see
you, although this is not always possible, in those circumstances
we can give advice to your medical team.
Supportive and Palliative Care Team runs an outpatient clinic
every Thursday morning for patients with pain and other symptom
problems. The clinic is staffed by a Consultants and Registrars in
Palliative Medicine. Your medical team can make a referral for you
to be seen in our clinic.
How we link with your G.P and other local services:
We liaise and update your G.P if you have been an inpatient
prior to discharge home. If you have been seen in our outpatient
clinic we will write to your G.P to ensure continuity of care.
Hospice care
Hospices provide specialist care and advice for people living
with life limiting conditions within the community setting. They
have consultants and specialist nurses who can visit you in your
own home providing support and specialist advice on pain and other
difficult symptoms.
Most hospices have an inpatient unit, day hospice, complimentary
therapy and outpatient services. The Hospital Supportive and
Palliative Care team can put you in touch with your local hospice
when they feel it might be helpful for you and your family.
