Palliative care is the active, total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. It focuses on control of symptoms such as pain and addresses psychological, social and spiritual issues. The goal of palliative care is achievement of best quality of life for patients and their carers.
- Affirm life and regards dying as a normal process
- Provide relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
- Include the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
- Offer a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
- Help carers and families cope during a patients illness and in their own bereavement
Palliative care is provided in two distinct categories.
1. Generalist palliative care is available in hospitals by the nursing/medical team on the ward at home by district nurse and GP.
2. Specialist palliative care is provided by teams at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital or specialists pare nurses and doctors for patients who want to stay at home for as long as possible. At hospice offers care to in-patient whose symptom control cannot be managed at home or those who choose this for their end of life care.
St Gemma’s tel 0113 218 5500, Harrogate Road, Moortown, LS6 2AE Wheatfields tel 0113 278 7249, Grove Road, Headingley, LS6 2AE
The following organisation offer support and advice to carers.
Leeds Palliative Care website offers advice and information on aspects of palliative care in the Leeds area, supporting patients, their relatives and carers.
Yorkshire Cancer Help Centre Provides holistic support, tel 0113 216 8894
Candlelighters tel 0113 247 0372, Candlelighter officer, Children’s Day Hospital, St James’s Hospital, Beckett Street, LS9 7PF
Robert Ogden MacMillan Information Centre information, support, counselling, alternative therapies, activities and much more for cancer patients, their families and carers.
tel 0113 206 6499
address St James’s Hospital, Beckett Street, LS9 7TF
drop-in service Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm
Cruse Bereavement Care Leeds this charity provides support and offers information, advice, education and training services.
web www.cruse.org.uk
email cruse@bcare.fsnet.co.uk
tel 0113 234 4150
helpline Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 10am until 12pm
address Centenary House, North Street, LS2 8AY
Leeds Bereavement Forum is a directory of bereavement services in Leeds.
Please visit the Support services for carers section for information about carers’ rights, financial support, taking a break and more. For useful web addresses, leaflets and contacts please follow the links on the right.