Palliative Medicine

Introduction:

The Department of Palliative Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital provides specialised care for patients living with serious, life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), and progressive neurological disorders like dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. The primary goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of patients and their families by addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual concerns. Care is patient-centred, dignity-oriented, and delivered in partnership with the treating unit.

Our Approach:

Palliative care focuses on relief from distressing symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, oral ulcers, non-healing wounds, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Each care plan is customised to the patient’s needs and values.

The multidisciplinary team includes:

• Consultants
• Resident doctors
• Nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Nutritionists
• Counsellors, psychologists,
• Social workers
• Trained volunteers

This collaborative team develops holistic care plans to provide comprehensive support throughout the illness journey.

Services Offered:

• Formulation of personalised care plans for patients and families
• Symptom management: pain control (including intravenous opioids and titration), cough, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, mucositis, delirium, agitation, anorexia, cachexia, insomnia, anxiety, and depression
• Interventional pain procedures such as neuraxial blocks
• Specialised communication: prognostication, psychoeducation, breaking bad news, handling collusion or denial, conducting family meetings, advance care planning (ACP), advance directives, end-of-life discussions (DNI/DNR, withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments)
• End-of-life care, including counselling and palliative sedation
• Management of complex conditions: fungating wounds, lymphedema, mucositis
• Home-based palliative care services
• Education, DNB training, and research in Palliative Medicine

Advance Medical Directive (AMD) -

Advance Medical Directives (also known as Advance Healthcare Directives or Living Wills) are legal documents that allow individuals to record their care preferences in case they are unable to make decisions later.

Key Components

• Preferences for life-sustaining treatments (e.g., CPR, ventilation, dialysis)
• Appointment of healthcare proxies (“power of attorney”)
• Instructions for pain management, nutrition, hydration, and spiritual care

Why are AMDs important?

• Respect for autonomy – ensures your voice is heard even if you cannot speak.
• Reduced stress – spares families from difficult decision-making burdens.
• Avoidance of futile interventions – prevents unwanted or non-beneficial treatments.
• Strengthened trust – enables providers to align care with your values.

Our AMD Services

The Department of Palliative Medicine at SGRH offers:

• One-on-one consultations to explain AMDs
• Practical guidance on the creation, registration, and updating of directives
• Templates and worksheets: Living Will, Healthcare Proxy forms, Comfort Care Preferences
• Family education to support understanding and respect for patient choices FAQs
• Who should complete an AMD? Any adult above 18 years, especially those with chronic or serious illnesses.
• Is AMD legal in India? Yes. The Supreme Court recognised AMDs in 2018, with a simplified process introduced in 2023.
• Can I change my AMD? Yes. AMDs are fully revocable while you have decision-making capacity.

OPD Timings:

General OPD : Monday & Thursday: 10:00 – 11:00 am Room F-24

Private OPD :  (Room 3016, E Block, Ground Floor) Monday to Saturday: 8:00 am – 10:00 am

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:00 pm–2:00 pm.

Helpline Numbers: 9650077710, 8860815562.

Our Commitment:

The Department of Palliative Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram is committed to providing holistic, compassionate, and patient-centred care. Through expert symptom control, personalised care planning, communication support, and legally supported advance care planning, we stand alongside patients and families at every stage of illness.

Our mission is to ensure comfort, dignity, and respect – helping people live as well as possible for as long as possible.