This service provides specialist palliative care advice and support on the basis of need, regardless of the patient’s diagnosis. This is facilitated through symptom control, psychological, social and spiritual support, referring on to other professionals or services where appropriate. This is available either by face to face contact or by telephone advice.
Referrals are accepted from the hospital team managing the patient and should be requested by using the ICE system.
Service is available Monday to Friday 08.00-16.00 based within the Macmillan Unit.
Out of hours advice is available including weekends from the palliative care advice line based at Keech Hospice; this includes telephone advice and face to face assessment.
To families of all our patients, we wanted to give a reminder that sadly, at both Bedford and the Luton & Dunstable Hospital, we are still unable to allow any visitors on site, unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example in maternity or children’s departments, or for those patients who are receiving palliative treatment at the end of their lives, on a case-by-case basis.
At Bedford we will call one designated member of family every day between 1.30pm and 4.30pm with a daily phone update. Those who miss a call back during this time and are concerned can contact the helpline on 01234 730500.
For the Luton & Dunstable, we are offering a dedicated Next of Kin helpline for family members who want to check up on their loved ones – please nominate one family member to call 01582 718884 between 8am and 6pm.
