Palliative Medicine Clinic v4

Palliative Medicine Clinic 

Patient Information

Supportive Palliative Care Services

• Author ID: SB
• Leaflet ref: PC 005
• Version: 4
• Leaflet title: Palliative Medicine Clinic
• Last review: November 2022
• Expiry date: November 2024

What is meant by Supportive and Palliative Care? 

Supportive and Palliative care is the care of patients with advanced progressive illness (cancer and non-cancer diagnosis). We focus on the management of pain and other symptoms and provide psychological, spiritual and social care. The goal of palliative care is to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families. 

Supportive Palliative Medicine Clinic

You have been referred to the Supportive Palliative Care Clinic for specialist advice, symptom control and treatment for your medical condition. The Supportive and Palliative Care clinic is for patients who have life limiting conditions and symptoms such as pain, nausea and anxiety.  It can be helpful for patients with all types of cancer, and other non-cancer conditions. 

The clinic is managed by Dr. Jenny Wiseman, Consultant in Supportive Palliative Medicine, and a team of Macmillan Supportive Palliative Care Nurse Specialists. 

The clinic is based in the Cancer Care Centre at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary.  This does not mean that everyone attending the clinic has cancer. 

What Happens at Your Initial Consultation?

You will be seen by the palliative care consultant, as well as a member of the Macmillan Specialist Supportive Palliative Care Team, who will review your medical history and undertake a clinical examination. Further tests may be ordered to help better understand your condition, such as blood tests or scans. 

You will need to provide information of all current medications and your completed IPOS.

Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) questionnaire 

We know that response to illness can be affected in a variety of ways.  For some people there will be physical concerns whilst others may have emotional, sexual, spiritual or financial concerns. 

You will be sent an IPOS questionnaire before your appointment to complete and bring with you on the day. The questionnaire takes a few minutes to complete and will ask you whether you have been bothered by a particular problem within the last month, and if so, how much it has been troubling you.  There are no right or wrong answers and if you are not sure about a question you can leave it blank.  You are welcome to ask a relative or carer to assist you with the questionnaire if you feel that would be helpful. 

The questionnaire will be used by the person assessing you in clinic to make sure they focus on the things that are bothering you the most. We want to discuss what is concerning you so that together we can decide how best to support you. Many people are able to help themselves if given the right opportunities and we are keen to offer this kind of support wherever possible. 

How long will this appointment take?

If you are referred to this clinic, please be aware that it gets very busy. Every patient is allocated a 30 to 45 minute appointment slot, but the complexity of some cases can lead to delays.  The service appreciates your patience in this respect. 

Please note that, whilst we do aim to keep to our appointment times, there may be delays in clinic.

What Happens next?

You may be given a further appointment in the palliative care clinic, or you may be followed up by Community Specialist palliative care Team or your GP and District Nurse

The Multi-Disciplinary Team

A Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meet on a weekly basis to discuss the care and way forward for patients who are referred to Dr Wiseman’s clinic.  The Team consists of members of staff including Therapists, Doctors, and Specialist Nurses, who are experienced in caring for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer or another life-limiting illness or disease.  They all play a part in supporting you and your family through this time.  This will usually only occur after your first consultation and is intended to ensure best standards of care. 

Macmillan Supportive and Palliative Care Nurse Specialists 

Macmillan Supportive and Palliative Care Specialist Nurses are available in all clinics. They can give you advice and support and answer your questions.

The Macmillan Specialist Nursing Team works alongside the palliative care consultant and are available for you to contact between appointments if you are worried or have concerns. 

The Macmillan Specialist Nursing Team can provide advice and support for your family, assist in relief from pain and other symptoms, and serve as a link between the hospice and community services. 

Should you have any questions, worries or concerns in between palliative care clinic appointments, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Macmillan Specialist Nursing Team on 01942 822008.

Electronic Patient Record and the Sharing of Information

You will be asked to complete a consent form to enable us to share clinical information with appropriate health organisations.  This will ensure that all those involved in your care have the most up to date and accurate information about your overall health.  The systems in place are highly secure and only those health care professionals directly involved in your care will be able to see your shared information. Whilst this is an option, you do also have the opportunity to decline. 

Parking

There are parking facilities at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary hospital site and also at the Freckleton Street car park. 

Other Information

Macmillan Cancer Support             

www.macmillan.org.uk                              

0808 8080000

Wigan and Leigh Hospice              

www.wiganandleighhospice.org.uk          

01942 525566

British Heart Foundation                

www.bhf.org                                                 

0300 3303311

Marie Curie Cancer Care               

www.mariecurie.org.uk                               

British Lung Foundation                

 www.blf.org.uk                                             

0300 0030555

Age UK                                              

www.ageuk.org.uk                                       

0800 1696565

Dying Matters                                    

www.dyingmatters.org                                

The Macmillan Information Service

The Macmillan Information Service is based on the ground floor at the Thomas Linacre Centre, and also the Cancer Care Suite at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary and aims to make information and support available closer to home for people affected by cancer.

The service is staffed by Macmillan information and support specialists who can offer information, practical support and signpost patients, carers and loved ones to other services in the area such as support groups.

If you need any further information, support or just a chat please call in or contact one of the centres at:

Both centres are open Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm.