Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of people facing the problems associated with life-limiting illness. The Beaumont Hospital Palliative Care Service provides specialist medical, nursing and social work care. Our aim is to ensure that, as far as possible, your quality of life is maintained and that any concerns are addressed and if possible alleviated.
The palliative care team does not take over your care in Beaumont Hospital. They will work with your main medical team and nursing staff. The help you and your team plan your care after discharge from hospital, either to your own home or transfer to another hospital, nursing home, or hospice.
The senior social worker attached to the palliative care team is available to provide emotional support and counselling to the patient and their family, should it be required. The social worker may assist you in making plans for your future care, whether that is to return home or to a more appropriate care facility.
Patients are only seen by the specialist palliative care team if they are referred by their hospital consultant. The team is available from 0800 to 1700hrs, Monday to Friday, and aims to see patients within two working days.
Patients are referred for advice about managing symptoms related to their life- limiting illness. The team will discuss benefits and side effects of medication with you. This may include nausea, pain or breathlessness. The team gives advice to your main team, but does not prescribe medication.
The palliative care team will discuss palliative care services in the community, how they work and what they provide. This includes community palliative care, and outpatient palliative care. Community palliative care is an advice and support service; the community team does not provide hands on care.
An important part of the work of Beaumont Hospital is providing care for people who are likely to die. The palliative care team works with the main team, the ward staff, the social work and chaplaincy departments to provide as much support as possible to people who are dying in Beaumont Hospital.
Patients are admitted to hospices if they have problems related to a life-limiting illness which cannot be managed in other settings, such as at home or in a nursing home. This may include difficult to manage physical symptoms such as pain or nausea, or complicated psychological problems. The palliative care team assesses patients to see if they require hospice admission.
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The Palliative Care Department
01 809 3339
Email:
palliativecare@beaumont.ie
St. Francis Hospice
Irish Association Palliative Care
Irish Cancer Society
Irish Hospice Foundation
Beaumont/RCSI Cancer Centre
All Ireland Institute Hospice and Palliative Care – Palliative Care Information Hubs