Information on what to do once you've successfully referred your patient to a Marie Curie Nursing service, including what they can expect, what you need to prepare and how to cancel if necessary.

What your patient can expect
What you need to do before the visit
Changing or cancelling a referral
The role of Marie Curie nursing staff
Roles and responsibilities of our nursing teams
Sending us your feedback

What your patient can expect

Once a patient has been referred to the Marie Curie Nursing Service, we'll send them an information pack explaining everything they need to know about the care they can expect to receive.

This includes practical information and advice for patients and their carers, as well as details on how to contact us to make comments or suggestions about their care.

The pack also contains information about Marie Curie’s Information and Support services for patients and families, including our free Support Line, web chat services, online resources and Companion service.

What you need to do before the visit

We want the visit to run as smoothly as possible. To help us achieve this, please follow the steps below.

1. Leave an up-to-date nursing care plan at the patient’s home
   
   
2. Check medication, prescription chart and anticipatory prescription are available – as well as syringes, needles and sharps box as appropriate.
   
   
3. Continue to take responsibility for the ongoing risk assessment of your patient’s needs; your patient’s moving and handling needs; as well as the safety of the working environment.
   
   
4. Prepare the patient and carer for the visit by:
   • outlining the role of the Marie Curie Nurse or Senior Healthcare Assistant 
   • informing them that the Marie Curie Nurse or Senior Healthcare Assistant will phone CommuniCare, our lone worker security system, on arrival and departure. Staff may ask to use the patient’s phone (this is a Freephone number so there is no charge)
   • Informing them that an information pack for the patient and family will be sent in the post.
     
     
5. Please ask the carer to:
   • provide a comfortable chair in the patient’s room as the Marie Curie Nurse or Marie Curie Senior Healthcare Assistant will be working close to the patient (our nurses do not sleep during visits
   • make sure there is sufficient light in the room for observation and nursing care
   • provide sufficient heating, access to a toilet and hand washing facilities (including soap or handwash), and facilities to make a hot drink.
   • provide a smoke-free environment for the nurse. Our nurses are not allowed to smoke during visits and we cannot insist staff work in an environment where there is risk from passive smoking

Handover to the Marie Curie Nurse or Senior Healthcare Assistant

You will be given the Marie Curie mobile number of the Marie Curie Nurse or Senior Healthcare Assistant (SHCA) allocated to provide care for your patient at the point of referral.

It's important that you give a telephone handover to the Marie Curie Nurse or SHCA prior to the visit. You should let them know if the patient’s condition or medication has changed, if death is expected soon, how family or carers are coping or who to contact if the patient lives alone.

This is also a good opportunity for you to tell the Marie Curie Nurse or SHCA about any risk factors, equipment or anything else that is important to help the visit run smoothly. Please discuss any significant risks with the Marie Curie Referral Centre or local co-ordination team.

Please don't give the patient or carer the telephone numbers for the Marie Curie Nursing Referral Centre, the Marie Curie Nurse or SHCA, or write the numbers down in the patient’s notes.

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Changing or cancelling a referral

If arrangements change or a visit is no longer required, please inform the Marie Curie team who made the initial referral as soon as possible, so we can reallocate staff to another patient.

The role of Marie Curie nursing staff

Marie Curie Nurses are Registered Nurses (UK Nursing and Midwifery Council). Marie Curie Senior Healthcare Assistants (SHCAs) are highly trained and experienced in providing care for patients with palliative care needs.

How are Marie Curie Nurses recruited and trained?

All our Nurses and SHCAs undergo a rigorous recruitment and induction process to meet the highest regulatory standards. They also undertake on-going training and development to ensure the best possible care for patients.

How do you decide which Marie Curie Nurse cares for which patient?

All our Marie Curie Nurses and SHAs are matched with patients based on clinical need.

We're proud to have such a diverse and inclusive workforce. Our 2000+ nursing staff includes men and women from a broad range of different cultures, backgrounds and ethnicities. 

Roles and responsibilities of our nursing teams

Nursing care

Recording

Drug therapy

*(based on requirements provided at the point of referral) 

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Sending us your feedback

We value your feedback about any aspect of the Marie Curie Nursing Service.If you'd like to share any comments or suggestions, or make a complaint, please contact the Marie Curie Referral Centre or your local co-ordination team.

Alternatively, email complaints@mariecurie.org.uk or contact our Patient and Carer Experience Team:

Patient and Carer Experience Team
Marie Curie
One Embassy Gardens
8 Viaduct Gardens
London
SW11 7BW

We'll acknowledge a complaint within two working days from the date we receive it. We'll investigate concerns to understand what has happened and any action we can take to prevent this in the future.

We aim to respond to all complaints within 20 working days. If for any reason that's not possible, we'll contact you to explain the reasons for any delay and agree a revised timeframe with you.