Palliative care is much more than people think.

Palliative care is much more than people think.

09 January, 2023

The aim of palliative care is to enhance the quality of life and help patients live as actively as possible. While it can provide relief from pain and other symptoms, it also uses a team approach to address the needs of both patients and their families.

Palliative care regards dying as a normal process, with the aim to assist people have quality of life until death. It integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of care. It also offers a support system to help the family cope during the patients and illness and in bereavement.

Community palliative care takes place in the home of the client – whether this is in their house, an aged care facility or anywhere that they identify as being their home.

The Banksia Palliative Care Services team of Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Massage Therapists, Music Therapists and Occupational Therapists work with patients GP’s and specialists to manage patient’s physical symptoms, offer spiritual care, music and massage therapy, counselling and bereavement support and counselling. This team can assist patients to die in their preferred location of choice – such as home.

There is 24-hour telephone support and in home visits as required.

Banksia provides these services at no cost to clients and their families.

Anyone can refer themselves, a loved one or a friend to Banksia Palliative Care Service, with permission from the person being referred.

GPs, Nurses and Specialists can also refer someone to the service.

Banksia Palliative Care Services would like to actively engage with practice nurses in the EMPHN catchment areas to ensure people who may benefit from specialist palliative services are not left unsupported.

Please contact Banksia Palliative Care Services to book a palliative care presentation for your practice, or for more information on how to refer to Banksia Palliative Care Services.