Palliative Care Team

Healthcare assistant
Healthcare assistants are trained professionals who can help you with:

* washing
* dressing
* moving around
* taking your medication.

Marie Curie has trained healthcare assistants in some areas of the UK. If you think you would benefit from one, you can contact your district nurse or GP. They will consider whether a Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant is right for you and may be able to refer you.

Social workers
If you have a social worker, they are likely to be part of your local social services department. This department is responsible for providing non-medical support in your area. In Scotland, this is called the social work department and in Northern Ireland it’s called the Health and Social Care Trust.

If you want to remain at home, you, a member of your palliative care team, or a family member or friend, can request a social worker to assess your needs. This will involve the social worker discussing your needs and any difficulties you’re facing. It may mean you get support from social services. This support could include:

* having meals delivered
* getting your home adapted to help you with daily tasks
* help with things like washing, dressing and preparing meals.

Some social workers are specialists in palliative care. They are sometimes called palliative care social workers. As well as practical support, they can:

* give advice and guidance on palliative care to you and your family members, friends or carers
* offer emotional support around a terminal diagnosis and refer you to a counsellor, if needed
* support you with advance care planning and future wishes.

Read about getting social care and support.

Social worker support for carers
If you have a family member, friend or someone close to you who looks after you (your carer), a social worker might be able to help them to get support as well. Your carer can talk to the social worker about their needs and any help they need with looking after you. This might include:

* putting them in touch with local support groups
* help with taxi fares if they do not drive
* getting someone to take over caring for a while so they can take a break (this is sometimes called respite care).

All carers are entitled to a carer’s assessment that helps to identify any support needed. A social worker may be able to help you to complete the assessment and develop a support plan.

Find out about getting a carer’s assessment.

Doctor or consultant
Your doctor or consultant is usually the professional who manages your terminal illness and condition, including any tests or medical treatment.

Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
You may have a CNS, who will be your main point of contact about your care. You usually meet them after your diagnosis.

Your CNS can help by:

* making sure you and the people close to you have the information you need about your diagnosis
* guiding you through any complex information or questions
* offering practical and emotional support to you and your loved ones
* putting you in touch with different services, including palliative care services, that may be helpful.

Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists focus on your ability to do everyday tasks. They can do an assessment of your current situation, including whether:

* your home or place you are staying needs any adaptations
* any equipment, such as a wheelchair, would be useful for you.

They can then arrange for this to be put in place.

If you think an occupational therapist would be able to support you, you can:

* ask your GP for a referral
* ask your district nurse for a referral
* contact your local council or Health and Social Care Trust to ask about getting one.

Physiotherapist
A physiotherapist aims to help with any movement or mobility problems following your diagnosis. These may be caused by the terminal illness or any symptoms you’re having. A physiotherapist can teach you some gentle exercises to manage or ease any issues.

You can ask your GP or district nurse for a referral to physiotherapy.

Macmillan nurses and other specialist nurses
Macmillan Cancer Support funds a wide range of professionals to support people affected by cancer.

A Macmillan nurse can help with pain and symptom control and give you information about your treatment. They do not carry out routine nursing tasks, but they may call or visit you to check on your symptoms. Some specialise in palliative care and controlling your symptoms, while others specialise in cancer.

To get support from a Macmillan nurse, you’ll need to be referred by your GP, your hospital consultant, a district nurse or a hospital ward sister.

If you do not have cancer, you may be able to get support from specialists who are experts in your terminal illness. You can ask your GP or district nurse about getting a referral to specialist services. Or you may already have support through a hospital team.

Read about Macmillan nurses.

Hospice care
Hospices provide free nursing and medical care in a friendly and comfortable setting, as well as emotional and practical support. Your GP or district nurse can refer you to your local hospice.

Some people stay in a hospice when they need specialist care, while others visit for treatment or support. Some hospices provide services in people’s own homes. Hospices are run by various charities, including Marie Curie.

Read about palliative care in hospices.

Emotional support
You, or the people close to you, may benefit from emotional support after your diagnosis.

Professionals who can offer emotional support include:

* counsellors – who help you understand and process your emotions
* spiritual advisors – who can discuss your feelings towards death and dying, as well as your faith or your spiritual beliefs if you have any.

If you would like to access emotional support, you can:

* ask your GP for a referral
* ask your district nurse for a referral
* check whether your local hospice offers this service
* look for a private counsellor using the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s directory – you will need to pay for private counselling.

Organisations like Marie Curie can also offer emotional support. We have free services, such as our Support Line on , that you may find useful.

Read more about coping with a terminal diagnosis.