Palliative care.
Comfort during serious illness.
Palliative care focuses on comfort, symptoms and the needs of the person and family during serious illness. It may be considered alongside treatment for the illness.
Start with what matters now
The person's comfort, wishes and priorities belong in the care discussion. Palliative care may sit alongside treatment for the illness. The treating team guides the clinical plan and explains what support is needed.
Agree who provides each part
Ask who manages medical treatment, who provides nursing or daily care and whom the family should contact when needs change. The care plan may address pain, breathlessness, nausea, tiredness and anxiety, with treatment set by clinicians.
Discuss the setting
Medwell can discuss care in a centre or at home, subject to the person's needs and the services available there. Home-care and estate service points do not all have the same clinical support. The team must confirm the particular arrangement.
GOOD TO KNOW
What to discuss
- What matters most to the person now?
- Who manages treatment and who provides daily care?
- Whom should the family contact if needs change?
Medwell can confirm the care and local arrangements after discussing the person’s needs.
Talk through the next step
Tell Medwell where care is needed and what has changed. The team can discuss the service and what can be arranged.