Care in hospital
Our hospital palliative care team provides support to people facing life-limiting illness in hospital.
Our team is made up of specialist palliative care doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and pharmacists based on our hospital sites and supported by the rest of the palliative care department.
We support adult patients within the Oxford University Hospitals (the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General Hospital), working alongside ward staff in an advisory capacity.
How we can help:
- Improve physical symptoms to diminish the distress these might cause.
- Offer emotional and practical support and advice to patients and their loved ones relating to their illness.
- Support patients and their loved ones to make plans for the future.
- Liaise with other health care professionals involved in care at the hospital, at home or from other centres.
- Support discharge from hospital to the most appropriate place for ongoing care, where this is appropriate.
The hospital palliative care team also facilitates a rapid discharge service for patients whose situation has worsened and have been identified as likely to die in hospital, but who would prefer to be at home. We coordinate equipment, care (working with the Home Hospice carers), transport, and pharmacy to enable people to return home within 24 hours if possible. The hospice outreach team will then review to ensure the situation is supported at home. If you think that this service may be appropriate for someone you care for, please ask the ward staff to refer.
What to expect when someone is dying
For more information, please visit the Oxford University Hospitals palliative care hub.