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Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of patients experiencing a life-limiting illness. It also involves offering support to families and carers.
Our palliative care team sees patients with illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, kidney and liver failure, neurological conditions, and dementia.
In the early stages of illness, palliative care is provided alongside medical and supportive care to improve quality of life. For patients nearing the end of their life, the palliative care service aims to enable them to die in comfort, with dignity and, where possible, in the surroundings of their choice.
The palliative care team is multidisciplinary and works across Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, The Grove Centre — which is close to the Royal Free Hospital — and within the north Camden community.
The team consists of palliative care consultants, nurse consultants and clinical nurse specialists, who work closely with the wider multidisciplinary teams in both our hospitals and the community to provide:
- advice and support on symptom control related to pain, nausea and vomiting, breathlessness, and fatigue
- psychological support
- support and advice on social and financial issues
- advanced care planning
- discharge planning
- end-of-life care
- bereavement support
The palliative care team is available every day from 9am to 5pm.
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm tel: 020 7830 2905
- Weekends and bank holidays, 9am to 5pm, call the main switchboard on tel: 020 7794 0500 and ask to air call the palliative care team
- For advice after hours contact the North Central-London Palliative Advice Team (NCLPAT) on tel: 020 8152 3632 between 8pm and 8am Monday to Sunday
Referrals to the north Camden community palliative care team can be made by any healthcare professional with the agreement of the GP responsible for the patient’s care and with the patient’s consent.
These referrals can be made using an electronic form on the North Central London Integrated Care Board website.
Referrals from other community palliative care teams to the hospital palliative care team can be sent to the following email addresses:
Royal Free Hospital
Macmillan Cancer Support Centre: 020 3758 2000 ext 37698
Maggie’s Cancer Support Centre: 020 3981 4841
Long Term Conditions Support Hub: 020 7794 0500 ext 39963
Barnet Hospital
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care Centre (Barnet): 020 8441 7000
The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre (Enfield): 020 8366 4333
Long Term Conditions Support Hub: 020 7794 0500 ext 39963
The palliative care team will assess your needs and treat any symptoms you may have such as pain, sickness, breathlessness and constipation. They can also support and advise on other issues you and your family may have, including psychological, social or financial concerns.
The hospital teams will see you on the ward or in the outpatient department. The community team, which is based at The Grove Centre, will see you at home if you live in the north Camden area.
However, it may be possible to arrange to see you elsewhere, for example at your GP surgery, day centre or in the hospital outpatient department.
