Palliative and end of life care
‘Patients cared for in Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals should receive the end of life care they need at the time they need it and that care should be of the highest quality. Patients and their families should have access to the same support and care from arrival at the hospital through care and death and into bereavement, and wherever they are looked after in the hospital. Their care should be individualised to their needs and all endeavours made to meet their wishes and preferences whenever possible.’
The Trust’s vision for end of life care, from the End of Life Care strategy.
About the service
Services and support include:
Macmillan specialist palliative care team
Macmillan counselling service
Chaplaincy team
Bereavement services
Orsett Ward
Macmillan Infospace information point - in the outpatient department
All clinical staff are able to access training and education in end of life care, as well as support from the Specialist Palliative Care team seven days a week.
Palliative care focuses on:
Quality of life issues
Pain and symptom control
Emotional support for patients and their families
The palliative care team provides care for patients on all wards, and works closely with GPs, community Macmillan nurses, district nurses, hospice-at-home, hospices and social care services.
Other ways the team can help include:
Social/financial advice
Bereavement support
Teaching and education for other professionals
Contacts
For more information on end of life care, please call the Macmillan specialist palliative care team.
Telephone: 01268 394740.
