Do you have to be in a hospice to access palliative care?
No. Palliative care is provided in hospitals, in residential centres, nursing homes and/or your home.
• In hospital: your healthcare team may manage your treatment or refer you to the Specialist Palliative Care Team. is initial consultation will determine your future care needs whereby you may be referred for ongoing specialist palliative care follow-up in hospital, or the team will inform your GP and Primary care team to support your needs when you are being discharged. • In a residential care setting or nursing home: the staff there and/or your GP are able provide palliative care. ey will refer you to the Community Palliative Care Teams to be involved in your care if you are experiencing more complex symptoms. • In your own home: your GP or healthcare team can arrange for a referral to the community-based Specialist Palliative Care Team to complete an assessment to improve the symptoms you are experiencing. is assessment may be offered to you through hospice day services or with a Specialist Palliative care Consultant in the outpatients Department. is might involve you attending day services where available at your local hospice or a home visit from the Community Palliative Care Team. ese visits may be required more often as you near end of life. e Community Palliative Care Team will arrange, if possible, free night nursing care to support you and your family in your final days. is provides reassurance and respite for your families and loved ones
caring for you at home. See hospicefoundation.ie/nnc for details.
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