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The Palliative Care Service has three core components:

• Home Care Team
• In-Patient Unit
• Hospital-Based Team

All three parts work together to ensure that the patient’s needs are met regardless of their place of care. In addition to clinical work, the palliative care team are involved in the education of other health care professionals and ongoing research and audit.

 Home Care Team - The Home Care Team consists of Clinical Nurse Specialists who visit patients in their own home or in their place of care.  The aim of the Home Care Team is to help the person live as actively as is possible within the confines of their illness, enabling them to be at home if that is their choice.  The team focuses on relieving any distressing symptoms such as pain or sickness and provides emotional and spiritual support to the person, their family and to the people who matter to them at this difficult time.  They are also there to listen, answer questions and provide information about other services available.

 In-Patient Unit - The In-patient unit has 8 beds for patients requiring specialist palliative care.  Care is provided by a multi-disciplinary team including specialist nurses, doctors, care attendants, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and pastoral care team. There is also access to speech and language therapy, a dietician, chiropody, dental services and counselling services.From time to time during their illness, some patients may require admission to the In-Patient Unit. Admission can be directly from home or from other care settings. This can either be for assessment and management of difficult symptoms or planned admissions for respite.  The In-Patient Unit may also provide care for patients whose illness has advanced and where care at home may no longer be possible.

 The Hospital-Based Palliative Care Team - The role of the Hospital Based Palliative Care Team is to provide advice and support to other medical teams caring for patients who have palliative care needs.  The team consists of a specialist nurse and doctor.  The team offers advice to other medical teams and visits patients on a regular basis dealing with any problems which might arise.  The hospital team also provides support and information to patients and families during what can be a stressful time for everyone involved.

Other Team Members

From time to time, patients and their families may come into contact with other members of our team:

 General Practitioner’s (GP’s) - GP’s are one of the key providers of palliative care services and are supported by Practice Nurses, PHN’s and the specialist palliative care teams.  GP’s provide a 24 hour service and are the closest point of contact with the palliative care patient in the community.

 Administrative Staff - The administrative staff manage the reception desk in the Hospice, greeting visitors and answering any queries. They also provide clerical support to the palliative care team. They can usually be the first point of contact for patients and families who have questions regarding the palliative care service.

 Occupational Therapist (OT) - An OT is a health care professional who can work to help promote and maintain the patient’s level of independence.  The OT will assess a person’s everyday needs, in the areas of self-care, dressing, bathing, feeding, domestic tasks, mobility, seating and leisure/other interests.  The OT may recommend and supply aids and appliances to overcome difficulties in daily activities which will assist the role of the person’s carer. 

 The Dietetic Support Service - Dietetic Service is provided on request by Sligo General Hospital.  The dietician will assess and provide individual dietary advice and support as appropriate.

 Physiotherapist - The physiotherapist’s role is to provide relief from pain, joint stiffness, immobility, breathlessness, muscle weakness and tissue swelling by offering appropriate treatments. The aim of physiotherapy is to maximise physical capabilities, promote independence and help people adapt to their conditions. Advice and instruction is available to relatives and carers about the best ways to handle and move patients, thus ensuring the safety and comfort of everyone involved.

 Public Health Nurse (PHN) or Community Registered - Nurse will assess all nursing, personal care and home support needs.  They will provide and manage all the nursing care service.  Personal care may be delegated to a home support worker and monitored by the PHN. Referrals are received from the hospital, the family doctor, the patient or a member of the patient’s family.

 Home and personal support services - Home and personal support services offer personal, practical and social care in your own home.  A range of services are provided directly by the HSE – Home Help Service, and in partnership with other agencies; Irish Wheelchair Association and Assisted Living Service. 

 Pastoral Care - Pastoral Care is an integral part of the Palliative Care service.  Members of the Pastoral Care team offer a 24 hour service to patients, relatives and staff in North West Hospice and Sligo General Hospital. They are available to listen, to pray with, to encourage and to support the patient on an ongoing basis.  The patients’ needs and feelings are always the main priority.

 Speech and Language Therapy - The speech and language therapist will assess any problems with swallowing or communication (speech, language and voice). They will then advise on the most appropriate management of these problems.

 Night Nurses - Patients who are seriously ill and at home may need extra nursing care.  The Irish Cancer Society/Irish Hospice Foundation provides seventy hours of qualified nursing care, free of charge, but it is dependent on the availability of nurses.   You can find out more about this service through the Home Care Team.

 Pharmacist - The Pharmacist plays an important role in supplying medications and giving advice.  They can help sort and arrange medication and make administrating them as easy as possible. They work closely with The Palliative Care Team and GPs.

North West Hospice, The Mall, Sligo is a registered Charity in Ireland CHY 7983.

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