How we care for you

The focus of palliative care is on the person rather than the disease; on managing symptoms to make the person feel as comfortable as possible.

Palliative care recognises that a person living with a progressive, life-limiting illness has particular needs. We aim to give each person greater control over their treatment and quality of life through the prevention and relief of suffering. We do this by assessment and treatment of pain and other problems whether they be physical, psychosocial or spiritual.

The focus of palliative care is on the person rather than the disease; on managing symptoms to make the person feel as comfortable as possible. Palliative care recognises the importance of a person’s family and friends in their care and offers them assistance in coping with the experience of caring for the patient.

We consult at all three Alfred Health campuses and can assist with:

  • Advice regarding pain and symptom management
  • Complex discharge planning
  • Psychological and spiritual support for both patient and family
  • Bereavement support
  • Referral to and liaison with community palliative care services
  • Short-term home visits in specific circumstances

Palliative care does not mean the withdrawal of active treatment as both processes can occur simultaneously. Some active interventions such as antibiotics, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be helpful in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life.

How we care for you

Our palliative care service is a multidisciplinary team of doctors, specialist nurses, music therapist and grief counsellor. We enable those experiencing serious illnesses to live well, providing support for patients approaching end of life. Palliative care works both independently and alongside other medical specialities to improve physical comfort, maintain psychosocial health and guide patients and families at all stages of serious illness.

If you have a life threatening illness, we can work with you and your family to improve your quality of life. We assess, prevent, manage and relieve physical, psychological and spiritual problems associated with your illness.

We help patients with:

  • Managing symptoms - including pain control, nausea and vomiting, constipation and delirium
  • End of life decision making - such as withdrawal of treatment and artificial hydration
  • Advance care planning
  • Managing or referring patients and carers with profound distress, grief or bereavement issues

Our service has established close links with specialty teams including the Victorian Adult Burns Service, Alfred Heart Transplant Service, the Lung Transplant Service, Alfred Trauma Service as well as Alfred Cancer teams.  Our staff have developed expertise in providing skilled palliative care input for patients utilizing these highly specialized medical services.