- Reference Number: HEY-215/2023
- Departments: Oncology (Cancer Services), Palliative Care Team
- Last Updated: 1 May 2023
Introduction
Palliative care is an approach that aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families who are facing problems associated with life-limiting illness.
This leaflet has been produced to give you and your relatives / carer general information about the Specialist Palliative Care Team within the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your doctor, but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.
The Specialist Palliative Care Team
The Hull University Teaching Hospitals Specialist Palliative Care Team consists of a number of Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialists, Consultants in Palliative Medicine and a Palliative Care Coordinator. We also train doctors in palliative medicine as they work as part of our team.
The Specialist Palliative Care Team are members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), providing expert knowledge in the management of patients with palliative care needs. We see patients with either cancer or non-cancer illnesses. We work closely with other health care professionals including pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, chaplains and social workers.
How the Specialist Palliative Care Team can help you
The Specialist Palliative Care Team will work alongside and in addition to the other teams caring for you.
We aim to:
- Provide advice on any pain, symptoms or concerns you may have
- Give you the opportunity to talk through any information you have been given and provide further information as needed
- Offer emotional support to you and your carer / family members
- Help you make informed decisions about your care
- Coordinate care and provide a link with other professionals
- Advance care planning to help you plan for your future care and what you may or may not want if your health were to deteriorate
Contacting the Specialist Palliative Care Team
The Specialist Palliative Care Team work 7 days a week (8.00am – 6.00pm) including Bank Holidays.
You can contact the Specialist Palliative Care Team on either (01482) 461146 or (01482) 461147
If we are not in the office please leave a message on the answer phone and one of the team will return your call as soon as possible.
The Specialist Palliative Care Team visit and provide advice to patients in hospital, but do not visit patients in their own home. Once discharged from hospital we also hold Consultant-led out-patient clinics, which are held at the Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital and also at Dove House Hospice, Chamberlain Road, Hull.
Out of hours palliative care advice
Your GP or specialist palliative care team can create an Electronic Palliative Care Coordination System (EPaCCS) record to summarise your condition and management plan for healthcare professionals involved in your care.
Once discharged from hospital, if you require Specialist Palliative Care advice at home during the night or at weekends you should contact your community nursing team or GP.
Other useful contacts: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Useful addresses and contact numbers
The Macmillan Information Centre is based in the main reception of the Queen’s Centre, Castle Hill Hospital.
The Macmillan Information Centre provides a drop in service as well as a telephone service on (01482) 461154. These services are available Monday – Friday between 9.00am – 5.00pm. Please note that the Macmillan Information Centre is not open during bank holidays or weekends. However, advice is available on the website; http://www.macmillan.org.uk
Alternatively, there is a free-phone national help line available Monday – Friday between 9.00am – 8.00pm on telephone number 0808 808 0000.
You can also write to: Macmillan Cancer Support, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ
This leaflet was produced by the Specialist Palliative Care Team, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and will be reviewed in September 2025
