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How do we work?

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.