Prescribing ahead: information for patients and carers

This advice is sourced from Dr Ros Taylor a senior palliative physician

Q. What are the medicines that we have been given to keep at home and how do they work? 

It is essential to anticipate symptoms in advance and prescribe carefully to keep people safely at home in their final days.

Prescribing a small number of injections to cover common symptoms such as pain, nausea and vomiting, anxiety/agitation and breathing problems is important.

They are very useful if someone is unable to swallow their medicines towards the end of life.

The intention is to relieve suffering not to hasten death.

Please see the leaflet from Harlington Hospice (see downloads) for further information.

Share

Downloads

Related Services

Cancer 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

 

Marie Curie
Close

Marie Curie

T. 0800 090 2309

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

Marie Curie provide support for patients and carers through terminal illness.

Find information and support through the telephone helpline and online chat via their website.

Other services include Marie Curie nurses, Hospice care, helper and companion services.

St John's Hospice Lymphoedema Care
Close

This clinic is for patients suffering from lymphoedema in any part of their body as a result of cancer treatment or chronic conditions.

The lymphoedema care provided is free to NHS patients registered with a GP within our catchment area. The NHS service is provided within St John and St Elizabeth Hospital under the hospice or at Charing Cross Hospital.

Young lives vs Cancer
Close

Young lives vs Cancer

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

Young lives vs Cancer support young people under 25 with cancer, and their families, to get the help they need during their cancer treatment and beyond, including bereaved families living with emotional distress. 

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

 

Palliative care teams

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

 

Harrow Community Palliative Care
Close

Harrow Community Palliative Care

T. 020 8102 6163

Harrow Community Specialist Palliative Care Team (LNWHT) provides advice and visiting to palliative care patients in Harrow.

They can be contacted Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

They are based at Honeypot Lane Health Centre, 839 Honeypot Lane, HA7 1AT.

Out of Hours the Pall24 Helpline can be used 3000 200 224

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)

Lymphoedema services

British Lymphology Society
Close

British Lymphology Society

W. https://www.thebls.com/directory/london

The British Lymphology Society provides a directory of Lymphoedema treatment services.

Use the website address above to find your local services.

LymphConnect
Close

LymphConnect is an online platform developed to help manage lymphoedema or lipoedema, understand more about the condition, share experiences and get support and advice.

 

St John's Hospice Lymphoedema Care
Close

This clinic is for patients suffering from lymphoedema in any part of their body as a result of cancer treatment or chronic conditions.

The lymphoedema care provided is free to NHS patients registered with a GP within our catchment area. The NHS service is provided within St John and St Elizabeth Hospital under the hospice or at Charing Cross Hospital.

Pharmacies

Care Chemists
Close

A community pharmacy which stocks common palliative medicines to support people being cared for at home

Address: 5 Buckingham Parade The Broadway Stanmore HA7 4EB

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm. Saturday 9.00am to 5.30pm

Carters Chemist
Close

Carters Chemist

T. 0208 8660053

W. https://carterschemist.co.uk/

A community pharmacy which stocks common palliative medicines to support people being cared for at home

Address: 24 Bridge Street, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 3JF

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm. Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm

Hospices

Hospice UK
Close

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

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)

Related Articles

12th December 2024

Painkillers: Information for patients and carers

24th October 2024

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

Feedback