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)