Palliative medicine services

Our palliative care teams provide end of life care support for people who are in the last months or years of their life.

End of life care is about making sure you live as well as possible until you die, and to die with dignity.

You have the right to express your wishes about where you would like to receive care and where you want to die. You can receive end of life care at home, or in care homes, hospices or hospitals, depending on your needs and preference.

We provide end of life care in all wards in all of our hospitals.

We take into account your wishes and preferences, and will also support your family, carers or other people who are important to you.

We focus on:

• quality of life issues
• pain and complex symptom control
• terminally ill patients
• emotional support for patients and their families.

• Social and financial advice
• Bereavement support
• Spiritual care working with our Chaplaincy team.

The team works closely with GPs, community Macmillan nurses, district nurses, hospice-at-home, hospices and social care services to be able to provide the most dignified and respectful care in the last years of a patient’s life.

Basildon Hospital

Macmillan specialist palliative care team, call 0300 443 0183.

Broomfield Hospital

Palliative care nurses, call 01245 514503.

Southend Hospital

Palliative care nurses, call 01702 435555 using extension 5190.