Doctors Lisa and Sara talk to Palliative Care Consultant Lesley Henson and Specialty Doctor Caitriona MacDermott for a discussion on common issues Primary Care Clinicians face when dealing with patients at the end of life and their families. We discuss Hospice admission criteria and the role of the hospice. We then look at how they approach questions around palliative symptoms like breathlessness, reduced oral intake and this leads on to a conversation about assessing and discussing options around hydration. We get their approach to answering questions around prognosis and navigating the scenario where relatives/carers might see the set of symptoms differently to other carers. Useful resources: Hospice UK: What is Hospice Care: https://www.hospiceuk.org/information-and-support/your-guide-hospice-and-end-life-care/im-looking-hospice-care/what-hospice Greater Manchester Palliative Care Symptom Control Guidelines for Adults (2019): https://www.england.nhs.uk/north-west/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2020/01/Palliative-Care-Pain-and-Symptom-Control-Guidelines.pdf Clinical Knowledge Summaries: Palliative Care General Issues: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/palliative-care-general-issues/ Pain Assessment Tool for People with Dementia or Communication Difficulties from Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Hospitals (2015): https://www.dbth.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DBH-Pain-Tool.pdf MacMillan Resources: Managing Breathlessness, advice for Patients: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/breathlessness/managing-everyday-life-with-breathlessness?gad_source=1&gclid=cjwkcajwrckxbhbmeiwaivf8rhfcgjkvqpsq-is9gahloaxjoyq9tsfxwykwym08ewcsyoluupn-1xocq1sqavd_bwe&gclsrc=aw.ds Cancer Research UK Resource for Patients and relatives around Breathing Problems for Patients with Cancer: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/breathing-problems _____ We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our quick anonymous survey here: https://pckb.org/feedback Email us at: primarycarepodcasts@gmail.com _____ This podcast has been made with the support of GP Excellence and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board. Given that it is recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen. Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk. The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.
