Palliative Care

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

We work closely with primary teams caring for patients who have a life limiting illness and require relief of complex physical and emotional symptoms which can no longer be managed by teams alone. We consider all aspects of a person's social and spiritual needs to guide appropriate care in a reassuring and skilled manner. We can support those receiving Palliative treatments and those who have ceased treatments and who are approaching end of life.

• The wishes, values and beliefs of the patient are paramount in determining the care provided.
• We recognise the importance of supporting family and carers
• We aim to provide total care to maintain or improve a patient’s quality of life and / or a peaceful death.

What do we do?

• Provide pain and symptom management to alleviate patient suffering and distress.
• Provide family or carer support and guidance – assist with care coordination.
• State-wide discharge planning and liaison with community and regional inpatient or outpatient services.
• Support our health care colleagues managing complex emotional or difficult situations.
• We manage terminal care in patients/families with complex needs or advise primary teams to commence the Care Plan for the Dying Person if terminal care is imminent and uncomplicated.
• We can offer expert advice and information on a wide variety of Palliative Care support services.
• We work closely with the WA Youth Cancer Service for adolescents and young adults (AYA).
• Assist or advise on all aspects of Advance Care Planning.
• Provide extensive education and learning opportunities to all health care staff (internal / external).