To Make a Referral

To make a referral

Please contact the Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse by

Post/e-mail to:

Community Specialist Palliative Care Team

Peninsula Community Health

Community Services

Truro Health Park

Infirmary Hill

Truro

TR1 2JA

Fax: 01872 246948

Tel: 01208 251300

Between 9.00am and 4.30pm

E-mail:

This contact number is available to patients 7 days a week (including Public Holidays). It is not an emergency service.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Team

Referral Criteria

Specialist Palliative Care Services (SPCS) are resources for health care professionals in all community care settings to access expert support for patients facing a life threatening condition irrespective of diagnosis, in particular for:

● Management and monitoring of persistent and/or transient

symptoms

● Management of complex emotional/psychological issues

● Management of complex social/family issues

● Planning end of life care

It is important to recognise that the above are not mutually exclusive.

The aim of the service is to ensure that patients with complex palliative care needs receive high quality symptom control assessments, psychological support and advice to meet their individual palliative care needs through direct patient assessment and working with co-providers.

The team comprises of experienced registered nurses who have additional specialist knowledge and experience and work to Specialist Palliative Care Competencies. In addition to managing a clinical caseload within agreed boundaries and protocols they have a role within teaching, consultancy and research. The team work with other Specialist Palliative Care providers to try to help all healthcare professionals provide holistic palliative care.

Referral guidelines

Referrals to the Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse are appropriate when:

·  The patient has symptoms which are complex or rapidly changing.

·  The patient/carer has difficulty adjusting to diagnosis or advancing disease.

·  Support may be required when decisions about palliative treatment options are being made.

Referral process

·  The referral is made with the patient’s knowledge and consent.

·  Referrals will be taken, on a referral form, from the GP or healthcare professional only.

·  The Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse will liaise with the patient’s GP prior to contacting the patient.

·  The Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse works alongside GPs and hospital colleagues, who continue to have overall responsibility for their patients.

·  Referral to the service will normally result in telephone contact within two working days. This does not necessarily mean ongoing care will be given by the team. Assessment will guide the level of intervention offered. The patients may be referred on to other specialist services if appropriate.

Levels of intervention available

Level 1

Support given at this level involves no direct contact with the patient. It may involve a professional consultation between the referrer and the Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse on matters of symptom control and options of care.

Level 2

One assessment visit to a patient to provide added support to the professional, following which the patient is discharged.

Level 3

A short, planned episode of care is offered to the patient and family according to need.

Level 4

Care is offered on a longer term basis where there are ongoing complex needs.

(Adapted from Caddow, P, 1995)

References

Caddow, P, Wellhouse NHS Trust Symptom Control Support Team. (1995). Levels of Intervention by HPCT.