Macmillan Palliative Care team

Having a life-threatening disease, such as cancer, is a very difficult time for patients, their family and carers.

Palliative care can help to make sure that patients and their families get the support they need to have the best possible quality of life.

Palliative care is a service for any patients with an active, progressive and life-threatening disease and is provided by Macmillan nurses. The Macmillan nurses work alongside a patient's health care team (district nurse, doctor, hospital consultant, care home staff etc).

They provide care and advice, including helping patients to manage the symptoms and pain of their illness. They also give emotional and spiritual support to patients, their carers and families.

The Macmillan team works with patients at all stages of their illness and are often involved with the patient and their family when the illness is first diagnosed. Patients and their carers can be seen in their home, care home or at the Macmillan team's office.

Patients can contact the Macmillan team themselves, but they are usually referred by their GP, care home staff or district nurse.

Carers and patients can contact the team directly for advice or general information on 01977 781450.