What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness.  Palliative care focuses on the prevention and relief of distress by treatment of pain and other problems; physical, psychosocial and spiritual.

Palliative care provides additional support to the normal medical service provided by other health care professionals. The role of the Palliative Care Team is to improve the person’s comfort and quality of life.

       Where is the Palliative Care Service based?

The Palliative Care Team is based at North West Hospice which adjoins Sligo General Hospital. The team provides support advice and care to patients and their families in Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan.  The team is led by a Consultant in Palliative Medicine – Dr. Cathryn Bogan.

      Is Palliative Care just for people with cancer?

No, though some people feel that palliative care is only available to people with cancer. People with many other types of life-limiting illnesses e.g. advanced heart and lung disease, can also benefit from palliative care.

The involvement of palliative care may be suggested by the patient themselves, family, friends or other health care professionals. The referral must be made by the family doctor or the hospital medical team.