Originator: Dr Joanne Bowen - Pallliative Medicine ConsultantDate: June 2011

Version: 3Date for Review: May 2014

DGOH Ref No: DGOH/PIL/00449

Hospital Palliative Care TeamPatient Information Leaflet

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What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is the care patients and their relatives/carers receivewhen the patient's disease is no longer responding to anytreatment aimed at curing it.

Palliative care is about ensuring that the patient is kept ascomfortable as possible, and that any distressing symptoms suchas pain, sickness and anxiety are treated.

The Palliative Care Team also aims to provide the patient andthose people close to them with psychological, emotional, socialand spiritual support.

Who we are

We are a team of qualified nurses, doctors and other healthcareworkers with specialist knowledge and experience in palliative careworking within The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust.

What we do

We work alongside other doctors and nurses looking after you inhospital to ensure you and your relatives receive the best carepossible. We help to manage your symptoms.

We will give you as much information as possible to help you andthe people close to you to make the right choices for your futurecare and treatment.

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How to contact us

The Palliative Care Team is available Monday to Friday from 8am -5pm.

If you would like to talk to a member of the team please discussthis with the nurse or doctor looking after you.

We can also be contacted directly on telephone: 01384 244238 orvia the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard on 01384 456111extension: 2238.

The team member involved in your care is:

.......................................................................................................

Useful national organisations:

Macmillan Cancer SupportTelephone: 0808 808 2020www.macmillan.org.uk

Free information and emotional support for patients living withcancer. There is also a translation service for anyone who cannotspeak English.

CRUSE Bereavement CareTel: 0844 477 9400www.cruse.org.uk

These offer practical help and support for the bereaved relativesand friends. Local branches and support groups who offerinformation and advice. There is also one to one support if needed.

Useful local organisations:

Community Macmillan Palliative Care TeamBrierley Hill Health and Social Care CentreVenture WayBrierley HillDY5 1RUTelephone: 01384 321523

They provide palliative care for patients, relatives and carers livingin the Dudley area, along with district nurses, occupationaltherapists and other community services.

Cancer SupportThe White HouseEdnum RoadDudleyDY1 1JXTelephone: 01384 231232

They provide information, practical help and emotional support forpatients and families living with cancer, as well as support forbereaved relatives.

The Benefits shopThe Council HousePriory RoadDudleyWest MidlandsDY1 1HF01384 812 639These provide information and advice about benefits and help withfilling in application forms.

Mary Stevens Hospice221 Hagley RoadOldswinfordStourbridgeWest MidlandsDY8 2JRTel: 01384 443010

Compton HospiceCompton Road WestWolverhamptonWV3 9DHTel: 0845 2255 497These both provide inpatient and day care/respite care forsymptom control as well as care at the end of life.

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