Caring at home - practical tips

These pages will help equip carers with the tools needed to care for someone at home

Helping with Practical Tasks:

 A brief video showing how to safely move someone in their bed

Recommended Resources

Hospice in the Weald, Kent

Published 30th December 2022

Marie Curie

Published 20th April 2020

Share

Downloads

Related Services

Hospices

24 hour Advice Line Michael Sobell Hospice
Close

24 hour Advice Line Michael Sobell Hospice

T. 0203 824 1268

Offers support and advice on palliative care issues to GPs, Care Homes, District Nurses and hospital doctors.

It is also an Advice Line for patients and families who live in Hillingdon and need advice on any aspect of palliative care. 

The Advice Line is answered by hospice nurses in the Inpatient Unit and queries are escalated to the on-call palliative medical team if needed.

24 hour Advice Line Pembridge Hospice
Close

24 hour Advice Line Pembridge Hospice

T. 0208 102 5000

W. https://www.pembridgehospice.org/

Pembridge Hospice provides palliative care services and advice to the residents of Brent, Central London, West London and Hammermith and Fulham.

This is a 24 hour, 7 days a week telephone advice line.

Referral form for clinician use only.

 

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice
Close

Community Palliative Care Team - based at Meadow House Hospice

T. 020 8967 5179

W. https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk/meadow-house-hospice/#community-palliative-care-team

The Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse Team provides advice and visiting to palliative care patients in Ealing and Hounslow. The team are based at Meadow House Hospice.

The team will visit patients with progressive life limiting illness in their own homes. They provide specialist advice around pain and symptom control and support for patients, their families, and carers during the last stages of illness. They also support patients wishing to die at home through coordination with GPs and hospital teams.

The team is comprised of medical consultants, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, a bereavement support officer and a patient and carer advocacy worker

The team can be contacted for referrals Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Between Monday to Friday 5.00pm and 8.30am, the Out of Hours Telephone Advice line 020 8102 5000 takes calls. Weekends and Bank Holidays 5.00pm to 9.00am.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Community Palliative Care Team - based at St. John's Hospice
Close

Community Palliative Care Team - based at St. John's Hospice

T. 020 7806 4040

St. John's Hospice provides advice and visiting palliative care patients for some parts of Central London.

Referrals can be made Monday to Sunday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Community Palliative Care Team (South) - Royal Trinity
Close

Community Palliative Care Team (South) - Royal Trinity

T. 020 7787 1062

Royal Trinity Hospice (South) provides advice and visiting palliative care patients of Hammersmith and Fulham, Central London and West London.

They can be contacted 8am -8pm  7 days a week.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Harlington Hospice
Close

Harlington Hospice

T. 020 8759 0453

W. https://www.harlingtonhospice.org/

Harlington Hospice provides a wide range of palliative care services to the residents of Hillingdon and surrounding areas.

The Hospice hosts a Wellbeing Service (shared with Michael Sobell Hospice), complementary therapies, counselling, lymphoedema service and the CABS team supporting children and adolescents.

The Hospice also hosts Harlington Hospice@Home team, mainly providing night sits, plus inpatient beds based at Michael Sobell Hospice (MSH) in Northwood.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Hospice UK
Close

Hospice UK can help find a hospice, provide infromation and support about end of life care and guidance to plan ahead.

Meadow House Hospice Inpatient Unit
Close

Meadow House Hospice Inpatient Unit

T. 0208 967 5179

W. http://meadowhouse.lnwh.nhs.uk

Meadow House Hospice provides inpatient palliative care services to the residents of Ealing.

The hospice has a 15 bedded inpatient unit supported by a team of dedicated staff providing 24/7 specialist support to patients and their family members. Patients with a progressive life limiting illness can be admitted for symptom management or end of life care.

Patients have a safe, dignified space of their own and the flexibility to spend time alone or in company, surrounded by their possessions and the people they care about. The hospice also has an extensive garden area that provides a quiet and reflective environment for both patients and family members.

Please contact the hospice Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and during the weekend 9.00am to 5.00pm on 0208 242 5817.

There is a 24 hour telephone support line to the hospice ward on 0208 967 5597.

Bereavement services to support family members, friends and carers connected to a loved one who was cared for by the Hospice, can be contacted via main switchboard.  

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Michael Sobell Hospice Inpatient Unit (MSH)
Close

Michael Sobell Hospice Inpatient Unit (MSH)

T. 020 8106 9201

W. https://www.harlingtonhospice.org/michael-sobell-house/

The Michael Sobell Hospice provides a range of palliative services for people with advancing illness.

The Hospice has 10 beds in its refurbished inpatient unit and looks after people with complex symptoms as well as those close to the end of their life.

Many people have a short admission and get back home agian.

The Hospice hosts the 24 hour Hillingdon advice line  on 020 3824 1268

The Hospice is part of Harlington Hospice, and shares the Wellbeing Service with the Harlington team, and hosts the Harlington Hospice@Home team

Please use the referral form below.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
Royal Trinity Hospice
Close

Royal Trinity Hospice

T. 0207 787 1062

W. https://www.royaltrinityhospice.london/

Royal Trinity Hospice provides palliative care services to the residents of Hammersmith and Fulham, Central London and West London.

There is a 24 hour, 7 days a week clinical advice line and OOH access to the on-call consultant.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
St John's Hospice at Home
Close

St John's Hospice at Home

T. 020 7806 4027

St. John's Hospice provides palliative care services to the residents of Brent and Westminster.

Telephone response will be received within 2 hours.

Inclusions are: Terminal care last 2 weeks of life, 24 hour, admission avoidance, facilitated discharge and respite care escorting a patient.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
St John's Hospice Inpatient unit
Close

St John's Hospice Inpatient unit

T. 020 7806 4040 / 07725 258767

W. https://www.stjohnshospice.org.uk/our-care/inpatient-care

St. John's Hospice provides inpatient palliative care services to the residents of Brent, Central London and West London.

This is an inpatient unit with 18 beds

Please contact for admissions for advice and Community Specialist Palliative Care.

The office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Referrals received in the morning are triaged the same afternoon, and those received in the afternoon are triaged the following working day.

If urgent, please follow up the referral by calling us on 020 7806 4040. Out of hours, urgent referrals will be discussed with the consultant on call.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)
St Luke's Hospice at Home
Close

St Luke's Hospice at Home

T. 0208 382 8020 / 8050

St. Lukes Hospice@Home provides palliative care services to the residents of North Brent and Harrow. Respite and bridging packages of care are available for end of life patients.

Please contact the team between Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

The email can be used for fast track referrals.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)

Overnight/weekend services

24 hour Helpline Pall24 for North Brent and Harrow
Close

24 hour Helpline Pall24 for North Brent and Harrow

T. 03000 200 224

This service was formerly known as Single Point of Access (SPA)

This is a 24 hour 7 days a week helpline providing advice for patients, families and professionals, hosted by St Luke's Hospice for residents of Harrow and North Brent.

Urgent rapid response visits can be made to patients registered with a Harrow GP

 

District Nurses Night Service Brent
Close

District Nurses Night Service Brent

T. 020 8102 3456

Calls will be routed directly to the clinical teams that operate after 5.00pm.

District Nurses Night Service Central London and West London
Close

District Nurses Night Service Central London and West London

T. 0208 102 5500

The Dristrict Nurses Night Service is an OOH service for referrals and advice. Please leave a voicemail message if calls are made before 8.00pm. After 8.00pm please call 111 or 0208 969 7777. Please do not leave voicemail mesages after 8.00pm for same night referrals.

District Nurses Night Service Hammersmith and Fulham
Close

District Nurses Night Service Hammersmith and Fulham

T. 0208 102 5500

The Dristrict Nurses Night Service is an OOH service for referrals and advice. Please leave a voicemail message if calls are made before 8.00pm. After 8.00pm please call 111 or 0208 969 7777. Please do not leave voicemail mesages after 8.00pm for same night referrals.

District Nurses Night Service Harrow
Close

District Nurses Night Service Harrow

T. 0300 555 8889

Referrals to the night service can be made Monday to Friday 8.00pm to 8.00am. Please select option 3 from the call list.

District Nurses Night Service Hounslow
Close

Referrals to the night service can be made Monday to Sunday 5.00pm to 7.00am.

Planned Night End of Life Care
Close

Planned Night End of Life Care

T. 0203 370 2208

This is an overnight service and is provided by Marie Curie via Meadow House Hospice for residents of Ealing and Hounslow. This service provides one to one overnight nursing support, symptom control, management of pain, emotional and practical support for patients in their last few weeks of life.

Referrals are made via Local Clinical Coordination Centre Monday to Sunday from 10.00pm to 7.00am.

Marie Curie Planned Night Services Referral Form (DOCX)
Rapid Response End of Life Care Service
Close

Rapid Response End of Life Care Service

T. 0208 967 5126

Marie Curie Rapid Response Service provides short term palliative nursing interventions, symptom control, management of pain, advice, emotional and practical support to the residents of Ealing and Hounslow. This service is based at Meadow House Hospice.

The service can be contacted Monday to Sunday from 6.00pm to 7.00am.

Rapid Response Referral Form (DOCX)
St John's Hospice at Home
Close

St John's Hospice at Home

T. 020 7806 4027

St. John's Hospice provides palliative care services to the residents of Brent and Westminster.

Telephone response will be received within 2 hours.

Inclusions are: Terminal care last 2 weeks of life, 24 hour, admission avoidance, facilitated discharge and respite care escorting a patient.

Referral form for clinician use only.

Community Specialist Palliative Care Referral Form V4.2 (DOCX)

Adult social care services

Adult Social Care
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea.

These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Brent
Close

Adult Social Care Brent

T. 020 8937 4300

W. https://www.brent.gov.uk/adult-social-care/about-adult-social-care

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Ealing
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Hammersmith and Fulham
Close

Adult Social Care Hammersmith and Fulham

T. 0800 145 6095

W. https://beta.lbhf.gov.uk/living-independently/contact-adult-social-care

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Harrow
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Hillingdon
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Adult Social Care Hounslow
Close

Adult Social Care provides practical support to people to stay safe and well.  These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community. Thre is also support for people who are caring for an adult family member or friend, access to personal care and home care services.

Carer's groups

Brent Carers Centre
Close

Brent Carers Centre

T. 020 3802 7070

W. https://brentcarerscentre.org.uk/

Brent Carers Centre deliver a whole range of support services to address the social, emotional and financial issues that carers experience.

Care Place
Close

London Borough of Hounslow publishes a regular factsheet called Information for Carers. It lists local, national and council services, voluntary organisations and other sources of advice and support that may be useful if you look after someone as an unpaid carer.

Carers Network
Close

Carers Network

T. 020 8960 3033

W. https://www.carers-network.org.uk/

Carers Network is an independent local charity reaching over 5,300 unpaid carers in the most isolated and deprived pockets of the City of Westminster, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. We have been proudly supporting carers in central London since 1991.

There is help for new carers and a carer's assessment to discuss how to maintain your health and balance your caring responsibilities with other areas of your life. It may also help you get financial support.

Carers Trust
Close

Carers Trust works to transform the lives of unpaid carers through its network of local carer organisations. Carers can access to support, advice and resources to help them manage their role as carers.

Carers Trust Hillingdon
Close

Carers Trust Hillingdon offer support and guidance to unpaid carers of all ages throughout the London Borough of Hillingdon.

They provide information, advice, training and support and a range of Fact Sheets on their website.

Telephone advice centre open every day 10am to 4pm or email with enquiry to email address above.

Benefits and legal advice also available.

They have a team specifically to support young carers.

Carers UK
Close

Carers UK

T. 020 7378 4999

W. https://www.carersuk.org/

Carers UK offers information and support to carers across the UK. There is an online forum and local support groups for carers. 

Ealing Carers
Close

Ealing Carers

T. 020 3137 6194

W. https://www.ealingcarers.org.uk/

The Ealing Carers Service support carers who have caring responsibilities living within the borough of Ealing.

Ealing Carers Partnership
Close

Ealing Carers Partnership

T. 0203 4759891

W. https://www.ealingcarerspartnership.org/

Ealing Carers Partnership offers support services to unpaid carers aged 18 and over, living and caring in the London Borough of Ealing. 

Harrow Carers
Close

Harrow Carers

T. 020 8868 5224

W. https://harrowcarers.org/

Harrow Carers is an independent charity and voluntary organisation and has been the lead carers’ support agency in Harrow since 1996. Support and services are available to anyone who cares for people in the community who are ill, frail, disabled and disadvantaged.

Friendship and support

Compassionate Hillingdon
Close

Compassionate Hillingdon is a collaborative project that supports people who might need support in Hillingdon. Their work revolves around a commitment to those living with a life limiting illness, older people and those suffering from isolation. They do this by facilitating reciprocal friendships between like minded people who live close to one another across Hillingdon.

This project is part of the ‘Compassionate Communities’ movement. Compassionate Communities is built on a combined ethos of a Public Health Approach to Community Development, Palliative and End of Life Care.

Compassionate Neighbours
Close

Compassionate Neighbours can support by:

  • Visiting weekly for a cup of tea and a chat, offering friendship and a listening ear
  • Helping you do the things you like doing
  • Helping you stay connected to your friends and the community
Wellbeing Hub
Close

The Wellbeing Hub is an online tool and resource hub developed to empower Hillingdon residents’ and improve overall feelings of wellbeing. 

It provides modern, hospice wellbeing information alongside other types of wellbeing support. The wellbeing hub empowers people to enhance feelings of wellbeing in a holistic way. The online tool provides support with information to better support each person's own, unique wellbeing journey, by encouraging the setting of personal goals and accomplish tasks that align with individual wellbeing aspirations. Goals such as completing tasks (by creating and sharing a bucket list) and documenting wishes such as an advance care plan can take place.

Related Articles

15th February 2024

Constipation caused by medicines: Information for patients and carers

2nd April 2026

Managing breathlessness at home: Information for patients and carers

24th October 2024

What to expect when someone close to you is in their final days

Feedback