Palliative Care
This Team has been designed to work with palliative and ‘End of Life’ service users
The Personal Assist South Yorkshire's Palliative Care Team
Personal Assist are proud of their Palliative Care Team. This Team has been designed to work with palliative and ‘End of Life’ service users. Senior Care workers are trained to fast track any potential service user out of hospital at any point of the day or night. They would complete a palliative care plan and the first call on the initial day for service delivery.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a specialised form of care aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with serious, chronic, or terminal illnesses. The goal is not to cure, but to provide relief from symptoms, pain, and stress associated with illness. Palliative care teams often work in tandem with other health professionals to offer holistic support to patients and their families.
Services Typically Offered by our Palliative Care Team
- Pain and Symptom Management: Managing physical symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, nausea, and fatigue.
- Emotional and Psychological Support: Offering counselling and emotional support to patients and their families as they deal with the challenges of life-limiting illnesses.
- Spiritual Care: Providing spiritual guidance or support, often in collaboration with chaplains or religious leaders where appropriate.
- Social and Practical Support: Helping families navigate practical issues like housing, financial concerns, and accessing community services. This is via signposting.
- End-of-Life Care: Providing comfort and dignity for those approaching the end of life, wills or deciding on preferred places of care (home, hospice, etc.).
- Bereavement Support: Supporting families after the loss of a loved one immediately after death.
Scope of Services
- In-home Palliative Care: Providing care at the patient’s home, which can be comforting for patients who wish to remain in familiar surroundings.
- Hospice Partnerships: Collaborating with local hospices for patients who require more specialised or intensive palliative care.
- Respite Care: Offering short-term care to relieve family caregivers.
- 24/7 Support: Ensuring that your team is available around the clock for emergencies or symptom management.
Work alongside Medical Professionals
- Multidisciplinary Team: A palliative care team typically includes doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, and spiritual counsellors. Ensure that you recruit professionals experienced in pain management, oncology, or other relevant fields.
- Coordination with GPs and Hospitals: We develop close working relationships with local general practitioners, hospitals, and hospices. Many palliative care services are referral-based, so strong partnerships are essential.
Regulatory Compliance
- Safeguarding and Training: Staff should undergo thorough training in safeguarding vulnerable individuals, emotional care, pain management, and end-of-life care.
Individualised Care Plans
Each patient should have a personalised care plan that reflects their medical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This includes:
- Advance Care Planning: Discussing with patients and their families about their preferences for end-of-life care, including decisions about life-prolonging treatments, DNR orders, and preferred place of death.
- Regular Reviews: The care plan should be reviewed regularly, especially as the patient’s condition changes.
Emotional and Grief Support for Families
- Palliative care services should offer psychological and emotional support not only for the patient but also for their families. Bereavement counseling and support groups for family members can be critical parts of this service.
Ethical and Cultural Sensitivity
Our Palliative care Team are culturally sensitive, taking into account the religious and cultural practices of diverse patient populations, particularly in regard to end-of-life rituals and family involvement in care decisions.
Awareness and Education
- Community Education: We provide education to the community about palliative care options, helping people understand that palliative care is not just for end-of- life situations but can provide long-term support for chronic illnesses.
- Family Training: Offer training to family caregivers on how to manage symptoms, administer medications, and provide emotional support at home.
Collaboration with Hospice and Community Services
- Hospice Care: Develop partnerships with local hospices to offer a continuum of care for patients who may need more specialized or intensive services.
- Community Outreach: Work with community organisations and charities to provide holistic care, including access to volunteer support services and community activities.
Final Thoughts
We believe that we are contributing to a critical area of healthcare, providing comfort and dignity to individuals facing serious illnesses. The success of this team depends on a compassionate, well-trained staff, strong partnerships with healthcare professionals, and careful adherence to regulatory standards.
Testimonials
Feedback received from user's of our service and their relatives in our last CQC inspection.
"The communication is excellent and this ensures my relative receives the appropriate care and support. "
"The care is absolutely first class, I have no concerns regarding safety."
"I'm impressed. Anything we have asked for has been done. We are certainly listened to."
"Absolutely first class, really, really well looked after."
"They take what time I need, they are very caring."
"It is a very professional service, they understand my relatives needs and I am very happy."
"Staff are brilliant. They never miss a call."