Referring to Hospiscare

Referral criteria

Patients and their families may be referred to Hospiscare for the following reasons:

• Management of difficult symptoms
• Emotional support
• Discussion of treatment options
• Difficult communication issues
• Practical advice
• Spiritual care

Methods of referral

Hospiscare's referral form can be posted or faxed. In cases of genuine urgency telephone referrals are accepted on the understanding that they are followed by a completed referral form.

Hospiscare's referral form
Accompanying notes RECOMMENDED TO READ
Community palliative care team contact details

Medical staff, specialist nurses and district nurse team leaders can make referrals. The patient's GP should be informed of all referrals.

Referral is encouraged on the basis of need rather than diagnosis. Hospiscare provides specialist palliative care for people with advanced incurable progressive illness. Although the great majority do have a cancer diagnosis an important minority do not.