Hospice care

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When we are faced with a serious illness, we hope that an operation or other treatment will cure it completely. Sometimes with serious disease like many cancers, a cure will not be possible.

Palliative care aims to maintain, and as far as possible, improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

Palliative care is about

• Controlling pain and other distressing symptoms
• Helping patients and families cope with the emotional upset and practical problems of the situation
• Supporting families and friends in their bereavement

In 1990 the World Health Organisation drew up a definition of palliative care, stating its goal and indicating its function. Palliative care is ' the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment'. Controlling pain, other symptoms, and psychological, social and spiritual problems is paramount. The goal of palliative care is achievement of the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.

People of all ages can benefit from palliative care. It can help at all stages of the illness from diagnosis onwards, while treatment is in progress and at the end of life.

In Renfrewshire, palliative care is provided from various sources. Accord Hospice and St. Vincent's Hospice both provide specialist palliative care. Palliative care needs are also met by Macmillan nursing staff and has close links with the Hospices. Your local Social Work Area Teams can also provide help. Their details are on the right hand menu.

CAPCIS is an internet information gateway which aims to support Greater Glasgow and Clyde patients, carers and health care professionals. It provides an organised, easily accessible and up-to-date directory of key services and service providers and appraises information on cancer and progressive, life-limiting conditions.

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