Recognising the last weeks and days of life

In this 4 minute video Dr Ros Taylor explains how to recognise the physical, emotional, social and spiritual signs that the last weeks of life may be approaching. This includes:

  • Early signs that someone may be in their final weeks
  • Using lucid days for important conversations 
  • Physical changes: circulation, sleep and breathing
  • Managing comfort and medication when swallowing is difficult
  • Appetite, hydration and reassurance for families
  • Being present: sound, touch and companionship
  • Recognising the final days of life

For more information on the final days of life please see What to expect when someone close to you is in their final days.

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Hospices

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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.

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Referral form for clinician use only.

 

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Referral form for clinician use only.

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

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Royal Trinity Hospice
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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.

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

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Referral form for clinician use only.

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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.

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Referral form for clinician use only.

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Palliative care teams

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 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.

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Close

Community Palliative Care Team (South) - Royal Trinity

T. 020 7787 1062

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Referral form for clinician use only.

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Pembridge Community Palliative Care Team (North)

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They can be contacted Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm.

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Royal Trinity Hospice
Close

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T. 0207 787 1062

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

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Referral form for clinician use only.

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

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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.

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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.

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Referral form for clinician use only.

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

Pharmacies

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Lymphoedema services

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St John's Hospice at Home
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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)

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

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