What is palliative care?
World Health Organisation (WHO) defines palliative care as ‘an approach that improves the quality of life of patients – adults and children – and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness.
It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems whether physical, psychosocial, or spiritual.’
referrals to the community hospice
- All referrals are made via the PAN London palliative care referral form
- Please email the completed form to our Assessment and Coordination Team at community.hospice@nhs.net
- A good referral with adequate information will allow us to provide the right care, in the right place and at the right time
- Referrals to our hospital palliative care team are completed by staff within Queen Elizabeth Hospital, electronically
- For urgent referrals (those people that ideally be seen within two
days), please contact us on the same day by phone to discuss with the referral screener or duty nurse. QEH should bleep the hospital palliative care team on 6747
- Referrals for people who have a learning disability, are neurodivergent
or for those with a language barrier, please contact the referral screener or duty nurse to help to help identify individual needs and approach to contact or care - Referrals will be accepted for any patient who is over the age of 18, but please contact us to discuss those that may be transitioning from children services to adult
- With any life limiting/terminal or progressive illness, including frailty
- At any stage in their illness
- Sometimes, it’s helpful to talk it through to make sure you get it right the first time. Our dedicated team is on hand to guide you through the referral process and answer any questions. Please contact them on 020 8320 5837.
What happens next
We know how important it is to act quickly. Our multidisciplinary team reviews referrals within 24 hours, and we aim to get back to you with a decision right after that. For urgent referrals, we handle them with extra care and attention on an individual basis.
People who may need our care are very welcome to visit the hospice and take a look around. Please email us on info@gbch.org.uk or call us 020 8312 2244 to arrange this.