Palliative care

Palliative care helps people who are terminally ill to achieve the best quality of life possible. It offers support and grief counselling to the family caring for the person with a terminal illness. Palliative care is provided in the patient's home, in hospital or in special units called hospices.

Some patients receive all their palliative care in a hospice or in hospital (in a hospice ward or unit). Other patients are only admitted to a hospital or hospice for a brief stay. This service offers both relief from pain and other upsetting symptoms and/or a short break (respite) for family or friends who are caring for the patient at home.