Palliative Care

Palliative Care is the coordinated medical, nursing and allied health care for people who have a progressive life limiting illness. It aims to achieve the best quality of life for clients and their caregivers whilst acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual.

Palliative Care is applicable early in the course of the illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.

Palliative Care provides physical, psychological, social and spiritual support for clients and their families and where possible this care is delivered to clients in their preferred location which may be at home, in hospital, Palliative Care unit or a Residential Aged Care Facility.

About our Service
How do I make a referral to this service?
Palliative Care Volunteer Service
Palliative Care Bereavement Service
Research
Virtual Care
2019 Directory of Bereavement Counselling Services NSW

About our Service

The SSWLHD Palliative Care service is a multidisciplinary service consisting of Palliative Care Medical Staff Specialists, Registrars, Nurses, Allied health professionals and volunteers.

Our service specialises in providing

Pain control
Symptom Management
Psychological and social support as needed
Counselling for patients and families on request
Bereavement care for families and carers
Volunteers for clients in hospital or community
Education in hospital and within the community

The SWSLHD Specialist Palliative Care service works closely with primary community services such as local doctors, and community health nurses who offer continued support and care in a client's home and provide the day to day care and coordination. We also work with treating doctors and hospital staff during a hospital admission.

Palliative Care Units/Ward

SWSLHD has two inpatient Palliative Care Units at Camden Hospital and Braeside Hospital (Hammondcare) and a Palliative Care Ward at Liverpool for clients who are known to the service and require symptom control or terminal care.

Camden Hospital
Camden Hospital has a ten bed palliative care unit led by Palliative Care Medical Staff Specialist, Nurse Unit Manager, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Consultant and Registrar together with Palliative Care Nursing staff,a dedicated allied health team and volunteers.

The unit caters for residents from the Camden, Wollondilly, Wingecarribee and Macarthur Local Government Areas who are known to the SWSLHD Palliative Care service requiring symptom control or terminal care.

Braeside Hospital (Hammondcare)
Braeside Hospital Palliative Care Unit is a twenty bed palliative care unit, day hospital and outpatients clinic. Lead by Director of Palliative Care, Nurse Unit Manager, Palliative Care Medical Staff Specialists, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Consultant, Registrars, together with Palliative Care Nurses , Allied Health and volunteers.

Braeside Hospital is located in the LGA of Fairfield however provides services to client who predominately live in Fairfield, Liverpool and Bankstown LGAs as well as Palliative Care Medical Staff Specialist consultations to Fairfield Hospital.

Liverpool Hospital Palliative Care Ward
Liverpool Hospital has a growing palliative care ward which will eventually be 20 beds. The ward is led by Palliative Care Medical Staff Specialists, Registrars, Nurse Unit Manager and Palliative Care Nurses providing symptom control and end of life care to clients who are known to the SWSLHD Palliative Care Service. There is dedicated allied health staff and a developing volunteer program.

Bankstown, Liverpool & Campbelltown Hospitals
SWSLHD provides onsite consultancy services and outpatient clinics at Bankstown, Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals as well as in reach consultations to Fairfield and Bowral Hospital. These services are provided by Staff specialists , Clinical Nurse Consultants, Registered Nurses and Registrars.

Community Consultancy Service
SWSLHD Palliative Care Service provides a community based Specialist Palliative Care Consultancy service in each LGA led by Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Consultant and Registered Nurses working with primary health nursing team with access to Palliative Care Medical Staff Specialist and Registrar for home visits.

This service is available to clients registered with the Palliative Care Service in the SWSLHD area, including consultations for referred residents living in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

After Hours Community Service
All registered client and their carer's have access to an 'after hours' 1300 telephone support service Monday - Friday, weekends and public holidays.
When you call this number you will speak to a Palliative Care Registered Nurse, all nurses taking these telephone calls are able to speak to a Palliative Care Medical Staff Specialist if needed, ensuring you are provided with appropriate advice and support.

How do I make a referral to this service?

If you are at home:

Clients can be referred to our service by their hospital doctor or nurse, their local doctor, community nurse, social worker, RACF staff, or they can self refer to the service.

Referrals can be made by contacting Central Intake Referral Service, Triple i Hub on
Telephone 1800 455 511
Fax (02) 4621 8799.

GP's can make a direct referral to Palliative Care medical staff for home visits or RACF consultation can phone Area Palliative Care office on PH: (02) 8738 9753

If you are in hospital:

In the hospital setting referrals are made by your treating team(s) to the Specialist Palliative Care Service for advice and assistance in relation to symptom control or end of life care. Talk to your treating doctor about referral to the Palliative Care Service.

Palliative Care Volunteer Service

A Palliative Care Volunteer is a very special person who has chosen to give their time to assist clients and their caregivers. The volunteer's role is to strengthen the ability of the ill person and their family to live as richly and fully as possible.

Each volunteer with our service has undertaken a comprehensive training program which enables them to extend to you and your family practical and caring support.

To be able to access the Volunteer Service, clients must be known to the Palliative Care Nursing Service. If you would like more information please contact the SWSLHD Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator on (02) 8738 9755or click here for more information about this service.

This service is supported by the SWSLHD Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator and operates from Monday - Friday between the hours of 8.30am – 5.00pm.

Bereavement Service

Losing someone that we are close to can be a difficult and confusing experience. There is a limited amount of information in the community about the process of grief and many people are disoriented and don't know what to expect. The many and varied effects of a loss, such as continued yearning for the loved one, sleep problems, anxiety, sadness, and a sense of meaninglessness can linger on for long periods of time after the death.

SWSLHD Palliative Care Service recognises that it can be difficult to adjust to a life without the person who died. A range of bereavement follow-up services are provided which are aimed at supporting the bereaved beyond the death of their loved one.

Bereavement envelopes, which contain printed information on funerals and grief and loss
Condolence cards
Bereavement letters which let the bereaved know that continued support is available
Memorial Services at Braeside and Camden Hospitals
Bereavement Counselling

The service also provides education to health professionals and the community on grief and loss issues. For education and/or training requests please contact the Bereavement Coordinator on (02) 9756 8878 or via email: sdurlach@hammond.com.au.

Specialist Bereavement Counselling Service

The service offers a specialist, professionally qualified, free Bereavement Counselling Service. Family members and friends of patients who were registered with the SWSLHD Palliative Care Service and died at home, in a hospital, or nursing home can contact the service for support.
Confidential bereavement counselling provides non-judgemental, respectful support and can assist people to:

Identify, understand and express their feelings
Access their own resources and ways of coping
Talk about the time/experiences they shared with their loved one
Come to an understanding of grief and its impact
Adjust to a new life in the absence of the deceased person.

The service is based at Braeside Hospital. Family and friends, who find it hard to access the hospital can be seen in a Community Health Centre near them, and in special circumstances at home. For people who have difficulty with the English language interpreters can be arranged. Self-referral to the service is preferred and enquiries or referrals can be made by contacting the Bereavement Coordinator on (02) 9756 8878 or via email: sdurlach@hammond.com.au

Understanding Grief
Coping with Anniversaries
Children and Grief

Research

SWSLHD Palliative Care Service actively supports clinical trials of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions with focus on improving symptoms and quality of life. Treatments may include medications, but also the type and way services are delivered; and can be undertaken in hospital or at home.

Virtual Care

New animated video to showcase how virtual care can support palliative care patients and families. Play the video here, https://vimeo.com/710223752

Virtual care safely connects you with healthcare providers so that you can receive palliative care when and where it is needed. It complements the face-to-face care you are used to.
With virtual care, your family, carers, and other healthcare providers can take part in your appointment, even if they can’t be with you in person.
Virtual care can be helpful if you find it hard to travel or attend face-to-face appointments. It may help you get more timely access to specialist palliative care. Speak with your palliative care team to find out if virtual care is a safe and appropriate option for you.