Health Professional Referral - Adult Services

Please call our 24/7 Advice Line on 01782 344300.

Our advice line is available for healthcare professionals as well as for patients and carers. Calls will be answered by palliative care nurse specialists or paramedics who have access to hospice medical records when the patient is known to Dougie Mac.

The team has access to a Consultant in Palliative Medicine 24 hours a day for further advice if necessary.

To be eligible for referral to our adult services the patient must be over 18 years of age and have active, progressive, and usually advanced disease for whom the prognosis is limited, and the focus of care is quality of life.

Additionally, the patient has one or more of the following needs which are unmet and require specialist palliative care support.

• Uncontrolled and complex symptoms
• Complex Emotional/Psychological Support
• Complex social or family issues
• Difficult decisions need to be made about future care

Prior to referral, patients with mental capacity must consent. For patients who lack mental capacity a decision to refer must be made in the patient’s best interests and where possible include the patient’s family or significant representatives.

As part of the referral form you will be asked which service you believe is required. All referrals are then reviewed by a member of our team to ensure the most appropriate support is provided.

Here’s what happens next:

• Your referral will be triaged by a clinical member of our team who will carefully review the information you’ve shared and action as appropriate
• If the individual’s condition alters and you require more urgent support, please don’t hesitate to call our 24/7 Advice Line 01782 344300