Palliative care in South East

A palliative care team can help with pain, breathlessness, nausea, tiredness, sleep problems, anxiety, low mood and loss of appetite. It may also address mobility, nutrition, home support and conversations about treatment goals. Care can begin alongside cancer treatment and can continue as needs change; it is not limited to the final stage of illness.

The team may include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, counsellors and social workers. They work with the oncology team and the people close to you. For background, see [Palliative Care](/treatments/supportive-and-palliative-care/palliative-care/).

Write down the symptoms that trouble you, when they occur, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect eating, walking or sleep. Bring a current medicine list, including non-prescription products. Ask whether a home visit, equipment, transport help or a family meeting is available. Cancer-related pain and reduced appetite deserve specific discussion rather than being accepted as something you must simply endure.

You can ask the team to explain each option in plain language, including its purpose, possible unwanted effects and how quickly to seek help. A trusted family member can join appointments if you wish.

Contact your cancer team promptly if pain suddenly worsens, prescribed medicine no longer helps, vomiting prevents fluids or medicines, new confusion develops, or breathing becomes harder. Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new weakness on one side, or inability to stay awake. Keep the team's urgent contact number accessible and follow the plan you were given.

Which symptoms can your team treat now? Who should we call outside clinic hours? Could medicines be adjusted to reduce drowsiness or nausea? What support is available at home? How will you review whether the plan is helping?