Palliative Care
Compassionate care focused on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for those with life-limiting conditions, supporting both individuals and their families.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialist medical care focused on providing relief from symptoms, pain, and stress of serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and their family, regardless of diagnosis or stage of illness.
Often confused with end of life care, palliative care actually begins at diagnosis of a life-limiting condition and continues alongside other treatments. End of life care is one part of palliative care, focusing on the final weeks or days of life.
Palliative care takes a holistic approach, addressing physical symptoms like pain and nausea, psychological needs including anxiety and depression, social concerns such as family relationships and practical matters, and spiritual or existential questions about meaning and peace.
Care can be provided in various settings: at home with community palliative care teams, in hospices (specialist palliative care centres), in care homes, or in hospitals. Many people receive palliative care at home, supported by specialist nurses and their GP.
Symptom Management
Expert control of pain, nausea, breathlessness, and other symptoms
Holistic Support
Physical, emotional, social, and spiritual care for the whole person
Family Care
Support and guidance for families and carers throughout and after
Choice & Dignity
Respecting wishes about where and how care is received
Who is Palliative Care suitable for?
- Those with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, heart failure, or COPD
- People with advanced dementia or neurological conditions
- Anyone seeking to improve quality of life alongside medical treatment
- Those approaching end of life who wish to remain comfortable
- Families needing support in caring for a loved one with serious illness
- Anyone wanting to discuss and plan for end of life care preferences
Services Typically Included
Palliative Care providers offer a comprehensive range of support services tailored to individual needs.
Pain Management
Expert control of pain using medication, therapies, and specialist techniques
Symptom Control
Managing breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms
Hospice Care
Inpatient care in specialist hospice facilities
Hospice at Home
Specialist palliative nursing care delivered in your own home
Emotional Support
Counselling and psychological support for patients and families
Spiritual Care
Support with spiritual needs, meaning, and peace
Respite Care
Short-term hospice stays to support carers
Bereavement Support
Counselling and support for families after loss
Advance Care Planning
Help planning care preferences and end of life wishes
24/7 Advice Lines
Round-the-clock access to specialist palliative care advice
Benefits of Palliative Care
Understanding the advantages can help you decide if palliative care is the right choice.
Better Quality of Life
Focus on living well, not just living longer
Expert Symptom Control
Specialist skills in managing complex symptoms
Choice & Control
Care that respects your wishes and priorities
Family Support
Help for families during illness and bereavement
Coordinated Care
A team approach bringing together all aspects of care
Peace of Mind
Knowing expert care is available when needed
How to Get Started
A step-by-step guide to arranging palliative care for yourself or a loved one.
Referral
Ask your GP, hospital consultant, or specialist nurse about palliative care referral. You don't have to wait until the very end of illness.
Assessment
A palliative care team will assess your needs—physical symptoms, emotional concerns, practical issues, and family support requirements.
Care Planning
Together with you and your family, the team develops a care plan addressing your priorities and preferences.
Ongoing Support
Regular contact with your palliative care team, with care adjusted as your needs change.
Crisis Support
Access to emergency advice and support when symptoms change or crises occur.
Family & Bereavement
Continued support for families, including bereavement counselling after loss.
Costs & Funding Options
Understanding the costs involved and how palliative care can be funded.
Typical Costs
* Costs vary by location, provider, and level of care required. Contact providers for accurate quotes.
Funding Options
- NHS funding (most palliative care is free)
- Hospice care (free, funded by NHS and charity)
- Marie Curie nursing (free overnight nursing)
- Macmillan support (free nursing and support)
- NHS Continuing Healthcare (for ongoing complex needs)
- Personal budgets for additional support
How to Choose the Right Provider
Key considerations to help you find a quality palliative care provider.
- •What symptoms can you help manage?
- •Can I receive care at home if that's my preference?
- •What support is available for my family?
- •How do I access help in an emergency or outside office hours?
- •Can you help me plan my care preferences?
- •What happens if I need to be admitted to a hospice?
- •How do you work with my GP and hospital team?
- •What bereavement support do you offer?
- Specialist palliative care qualifications and experience
- Holistic approach addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs
- 24/7 access to advice and support
- Strong family support services
- Good communication and coordination with other healthcare providers
- Flexibility to provide care in your preferred setting
- Bereavement support for families
- Focus only on physical symptoms without holistic care
- Poor communication or difficult to reach
- No out-of-hours support available
- Pressure regarding treatment decisions
- Neglect of family needs and concerns
- Lack of specialist palliative care training
Featured Palliative Care Providers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about palliative care answered by our care experts.
Related Care Types
Explore other care options that might suit your needs.
Ready to Find Palliative Care?
Search our directory of CQC-registered providers or speak to our care advisors for free, impartial guidance.
Free, no-obligation support available Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm