Palliative Care is specialized medical care for people with incurable chronic progressive advanced stage disease in cancerous and non-cancerous patients. It focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and distress caused by serious illness, taking care of the patients and their caregivers. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care has to be tailored according to individual needs. The palliative care approach aims to promote physical, psychosocial and spiritual well-being.

The department has two consultants, one DNB-PG student and two nursing offi cers.

The palliative care team works in partnership with the parent treating unit to provide an extra layer of support for the patient and the caregivers. The team provides expert symptom management, extra time for communication about goals and treatment options, and helps navigate the health system.

Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, psychologist cum counsellor, physiotherapist, social worker and other specialists who work together with the patient’s primary doctor to provide additional support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage of severe illness, and it can be provided along with curative treatment.

Our goals are

• To achieve the best possible quality of life for patients
• To provide good control of symptoms like nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhoea, constipation, anorexia, fatigue and depression
• To improve the spiritual and social well-being of patients and their family through counselling
• To provide basic and specialized training on palliative care to doctors, nursing staff, community health workers, volunteers and caregivers

Symptom management

• Pain
• Constipation
• Mucositis
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Fungating wounds
• Stoma care
• Back care and care of bed sores
• Counselling
• End-of-life care and bereavement

Facilities provided

• Outpatients free services: Monday, Thursday, F-48, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
• Paid services: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Inpatients services for patients with severe pain and uncontrolled symptoms.
• There is a provision of six indoor beds.
• Home care services: We provide logistic support for speedy early discharge from the hospital and proper guidance till the end-of-life at home
• Palliative care helpline: 9650077710
• General OPD timings: Monday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Room no: F-24

Address

Room no : SWB 4th Floor, Ext: 1480