Palliative and End of Life Care

Role of the LCHS Macmillan/specialist palliative care nurse

The LCHS Macmillan/specialist palliative care nurses support people with cancer or other life limiting conditions, who have complex physical and emotional needs that cannot being met by the patient’s primary care providers in the community.

The team is made up of clinical nurse specialists in palliative care, with a diverse mix of additional training in cancer, palliative care and nursing diverse groups in the community.

Much of the team are nurse independent prescribers which means they will assess, plan and treat patients. They will also signpost to alternative services and support groups where appropriate.

Referral process:

Referrals to the community Macmillan Team should be made through either your GP, Macmillan information centre or other healthcare professional. The Macmillan Team do not take direct referrals from patients.

Gold Standards Framework (GSF)

GSF is a systematic, evidence based approach to optimising care for all patients approaching the end of life, delivered by generalist frontline care providers.

Five priorities of care

The possibility that a person may die within the coming days and hours is recognized and communicated clearly, decisions about care are made in accordance with the person's needs and wishes and these are reviewed and revised regularly.
Sensitive communication takes place between staff and the person who is dying and those important to them.
The dying person, and those identified as important to them, are involved in decisions about treatment and care.
The people important to the dying person are listened to and their needs are respected.
Care is tailored to the individual and delivered with compassion, with an individual care plan in place

End of Life Care Strategy (2008), this can be found on the goverment webiste.