Palliative care team

If you need palliative care, you may get care and support from a number of health and social care professionals. On this page, we explain what these professionals do and how you can get their support.

The information on this page is written for people who need palliative care, including those living with a terminal illness. It may also be useful for family, friends or anyone important to you.

On this page:

What is palliative care?

The meaning of palliative care is to help people manage pain and other symptoms, as well as providing emotional, spiritual and psychological support. It's for people with a terminal illness as well as people who are expected to die from a health condition or advancing age (sometimes called 'frailty'). Professionals can also offer support for the people close to you.

Palliative care can be given in different places including in your home, in hospital, in a care home and in a hospice.

Palliative care is not only for people at end of life. It can be offered at any time after a diagnosis.

Read about palliative care.

Who is involved in palliative care?

The type of professionals that are involved in your care will depend on what sort of care and support you need.

Many people will not have a lot of different professionals involved in their care. Your GP, district or community nurses and, if relevant, care home staff, will support you.

You may also have hospital doctors or nurses involved in your care.

These professionals should be involved as early as possible. They can assess your needs and wishes, and refer you to specialist care if you need it.

Other professionals are trained in giving palliative care specifically and may help to manage more complex needs. These are sometimes called specialist palliative care professionals. You may need a referral from your GP or district nurse to get support from specialist palliative care professionals.

All of the professionals involved in your care should work together. This is sometimes called your palliative care multi-disciplinary team or palliative care MDT. If you live in a care home, the staff should help coordinate your care.

What is a community palliative care team?

A community palliative care team is made up of professionals who support you if you live at home or in a care home. It may include a specialist palliative care nurse, your GP, district or community nurses, and anyone else involved in your care. They will help you to manage symptoms and get support.

If you do not have any palliative care

If you're not getting palliative care, talk to a health and social care professional who is helping to manage your illness. If you are not in touch with any services or professionals, it's best to contact your GP. They can help assess your needs and get you the right support.

GP

If you are living at home or in a care home, your GP will be your main contact for your medical care. Your GP may be involved with:

• prescribing your medication
• helping to manage any symptoms
• talking about your wishes and needs
• giving you information about your illness or condition
• suggesting local and national support services that are available
• working with your district or community nurse, and the rest of your palliative care team if needed, to make sure you are getting the right care
• telling you about or referring you to local hospice services, including day services or hospice at home services.

It can be difficult to get through to speak to your GP on the phone or make a face-to-face appointment. This can be very frustrating and upsetting. It can help to explain to the receptionist that you are receiving palliative care or end of life care. And tell them if you feel that you need to be seen urgently.

District or community nurse

A district or community nurse can help if you cannot leave the house for appointments or treatment and need nursing care at home. They may be involved with:

• specialist nursing care at home
• giving nursing care, such as managing symptoms or changing dressings
• ordering equipment, such as a commode or adjustable bed
• arranging for other services to help with your care, such as a physiotherapist or Marie Curie Nurse or hospice at home service.

District or community nurses coordinate lots of services, but the availability of these services may vary from area to area. These can include other community nurses, healthcare assistants, social care workers, Marie Curie Nurses, Macmillan nurses, or other home care agencies. After discussing it with you, the nurse will prepare a personal care plan and refer you to services which may be helpful.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)

Advanced Nurse Practitioners are experienced nurses trained and qualified to a high level. They can diagnose conditions, make treatment plans, prescribe medications and refer you for further tests or care. They might work in a hospital, a hospice, in a GP surgery or as part of a community nursing team.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists are based in the community. They can support you by:

• giving out (dispensing) medication
• advising on medication
• delivering medicines to your home if needed
• working with the rest of your palliative care team to help you get the right support.

Some pharmacies have palliative care pharmacists. These pharmacists are trained in palliative care and can offer more specialist support, such as advising on the management of any symptoms and suggesting local palliative care services. You could ask your GP about palliative care pharmacists in your area.

Marie Curie Nurse and hospice care at home service

If you're at home, you might get help from Marie Curie's hospice care at home service as part of your palliative care. We provide expert nursing and personal care, as well as emotional and bereavement support.

Marie Curie has different services available in different areas of the UK. Marie Curie Nurses and healthcare professionals can provide:

• one-to-one nursing care and support overnight in your home
• care for a shorter period of time
• care during the evening or daytime
• care at very short notice in a crisis – for example, if you need urgent help with symptoms like pain or nausea.

To get care or support from Marie Curie's Nurses and hospice care at home service, you should contact your district nurse or GP. These services are not available in every area of the UK. Your GP or district nurse will consider whether a Marie Curie Nurse or hospice at home service is right for you and may be able to refer you.

Find out how to get a Marie Curie nurse.

Care worker or healthcare assistant

Care workers or healthcare assistants are trained professionals who can help you with personal care such as:

• washing
• dressing
• moving around
• taking your medication.

Marie Curie has trained healthcare assistants in some areas of the UK, who make up part of our hospice care at home service (see above). If you think you would benefit from one, you can contact your district nurse or GP. They will consider whether a Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant is right for you and may be able to refer you.

Social worker

If you have a social worker, they are likely to be part of your local social services department. This department is responsible for providing non-medical support in your area. In Scotland, this is called the social work department and in Northern Ireland it's called the Health and Social Care Trust.

If you want to stay at home, you can request a social worker to assess your needs. A family member or friend, or one of your healthcare professionals can also request this support. An assessment will involve the social worker discussing your needs and any difficulties you're facing. It may mean you get support from social services. This support could include:

• getting your home adapted to help you with daily tasks
• help with things like washing, dressing and preparing meals
• having meals delivered (although this is sometimes done through charities or private organisations).

Palliative care social worker

Some social workers are specialists in palliative care. They are sometimes called palliative care social workers. As well as practical support, they can:

• give advice and guidance on palliative care to you and your family members, friends or carers
• offer emotional support around a terminal diagnosis and refer you to a counsellor, if needed
• support you with advance care planning and future wishes
• help with bereavement support.

Read about getting social care and support.

Social worker support for family and friends

If you have a family member, friend or someone close to you who looks after you (your carer), a social worker might be able to help them to get support as well. They can talk to the social worker about their needs and any help they need with looking after you. This might include:

• putting them in touch with local support groups
• help with taxi fares if they do not drive
• getting someone to take over caring for a while so they can take a break (this is sometimes called respite care).

All carers are entitled to a carer's assessment, or an Adult Carer Support Plan in Scotland, that helps to identify any support needed. A social worker may be able to help you to complete the assessment and develop a support plan.

Find out about getting a carer's assessment or Adult Carer Support Plan.

Hospital doctor or consultant

You may have a hospital doctor or consultant, depending on your illness or condition. They are usually the professional who manages your illness and condition, including any tests or medical treatment.

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

You may have a CNS, who will be your main point of contact about your care. You usually meet them if you've received a specific diagnosis.

Your CNS can help by:

• making sure you and the people close to you have the information you need about your diagnosis
• guiding you through any complex information or questions
• offering practical and emotional support to you and your loved ones
• putting you in touch with different services, including palliative care services, that may be helpful.

Occupational therapist

Occupational therapists (OTs) provide equipment and advice to help you do everyday tasks. They can do an assessment of your current situation, including whether:

• your home or place you are staying needs any adaptations
• any equipment, such as a wheelchair, would be useful for you.

They can then arrange for this to be put in place.

If you think an occupational therapist would be able to support you, you can:

• ask your GP for a referral
• ask your district nurse for a referral
• contact your local council or Health and Social Care Trust to ask about getting one.

Physiotherapist

A physiotherapist aims to help with any movement or mobility problems following your diagnosis. These may be caused by the terminal illness or any symptoms you're having. A physiotherapist can teach you gentle exercises that can help with your muscle strength, range of movement and balance. They can also support you with breathlessness and fatigue.

You can ask your GP or district or community nurse for a referral to physiotherapy.

Macmillan nurse and other specialist nurses

If you have cancer, a Macmillan nurse can help with information about your diagnosis, and side effects. They can tell you about what support is available. They do not carry out routine nursing tasks, but they may call or visit you to check on your symptoms. Some specialise in palliative care and controlling symptoms.

To get support from a Macmillan nurse, you'll need to be referred by your GP, your hospital consultant, a district nurse or a hospital ward staff.

If you do not have cancer, you may be able to get support from specialists who are experts in your terminal illness. You can ask your GP or district nurse about getting a referral to specialist services. Or you may already have support through a hospital team.

Read about Macmillan nurses.  

Hospice care

Hospices provide free nursing and medical care in a friendly and comfortable setting, as well as emotional and practical support. Your GP or district nurse can refer you to your local hospice if you need their care.

Some people stay in a hospice when they need specialist care, while others visit for treatment or support. Some hospices provide services in people's own homes (sometimes called 'Hospice care at home'). Hospices are run by various charities, including Marie Curie.

Read about palliative care in hospices.

Emotional support

You, or the people close to you, may benefit from emotional support after your diagnosis.

Professionals who can offer emotional support include:

• counsellors – who help you understand and process your emotions
• psychologists – who also help to understand and process emotions, but can also help with more complex feelings or mental health concerns
• spiritual advisors – who can discuss your feelings towards death and dying, as well as your faith or any spiritual beliefs you may have.

If you would like to access emotional support, you can:

• ask your GP for a referral
• ask your district nurse for a referral
• check whether your local hospice offers this service
• look for a private counsellor using the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's directory – you will need to pay for private counselling
• call Marie Curie's free Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk

Read more about coping with a terminal diagnosis.

Any family and friends you have may also need support during this time. They can access the support above, and may also benefit from support from local or national carers organisations.

Read more about coping with feelings as a carer.

More information and support from Marie Curie

Marie Curie offers a wide range of support for people living with a terminal illness, and their family and friends. We can support with the following:

• Marie Curie Nurses and hospice care at home service who can help you in your own home with expert nursing and personal care, as well as bereavement support.
• Marie Curie Hospices – our hospices offer expert medical care and bereavement support for people staying or visiting for support.
• Marie Curie Support Line – you can call us on 0800 090 2309 or email us at support@mariecurie.org.uk  
• Marie Curie Companion service, where a volunteer can visit you at home or in hospital.
• Marie Curie Companion over the phone service, where you can get regular support from a trained volunteer.
• Marie Curie Bereavement service, where a trained volunteer can offer regular support over the phone.
• Marie Curie's information booklets, which cover topics such as managing symptoms, what to expect at the end of life, and looking after yourself as a carer.

All of these services are free and many are available across the UK. You don't need to have accessed a Marie Curie Hospice or Marie Curie Nurse to benefit from our other services.