What is palliative care?
End of life care is support for people who are in the last months or years of their life.
End of life care should help you to live as well as possible and to die with dignity. The people providing your care should ask you about your wishes and preferences, and take these into account as they work with you to plan your care.
They should also support your family, carers or other people who are important to you.
You have the right to express your wishes about where you would like to receive care and where you want to die. You can receive end of life care at home, or in care homes, hospices or hospitals, depending on your needs and preference.
Cancer and palliative care services
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan offers emotional, physical and financial support and a range of support services are available from online communities to local groups. For more information, visit:
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK have a dedicated cancer chat forum, cancer information nurses and lots of resources and information for coping with cancer.
Bowel Cancer UK’s digital support group for bowel cancer patients
Chat Together is a free online support group for people living with and beyond bowel cancer.
It’s a welcoming place to talk to others with bowel cancer and to meet new people. It’s a chance to share experiences in a safe, supportive and informal environment. For more information and to sign up – please visit the Bowel Cancer UK website.
Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT) – Palliative Care Nursing Team
The Palliative Care Nursing Team consists of nurses who have undertaken specialist training and have experience and skills in palliative care. Palliative care is for people with advanced and progressive illness that cannot be cured. Palliative care aims to provide support and management of physical symptoms such as pain, and also provide psychological, social and spiritual care to patients and their families.