About the service
This service provides clinical advice and support to clinicians managing patients with a terminal illness where:
- Symptoms are difficult to manage
- Advice is sought on prognosis and the appropriate ceiling of care
- Support is required regarding medications to help with end of life care.
Areas of advice and support provided by the service include:
Medical
- Suggestions for pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of symptoms such as pain, nausea and dyspnoea
- Advice on probable prognosis and expected course of illness
- Discussion related to ceiling of care
- Suggestions for further investigations to either better understand symptoms or prognosis
Nursing
- Advice on end-of-life care including medication administration, secretion management and oral hygiene
- Development of a bowel management plan, breathlessness plan
- Functional assessment with advice on allied health need and pressure area care
Social work
- Help with Advance Care Planning
- Discussions and help with utilising support services
- Counselling for emotional and psychological distress
Occupational therapy
- Falls prevention advice
- Oedema management education and management
- Functional assessments and equipment recommendations
- Pressure sore prevention and management
- Energy conservation and fatigue management
Pharmacy
- Medication reviews and optimisation
- Support with arranging access to restricted medications (e.g. non-PBS and SAS medications)
Last updated: 2 December 2020
