What is palliative care?

Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and families facing a serious or life-limiting illness. It is not about giving up, it is about living as well as possible, for as long as possible.

It treats the whole person: managing physical symptoms alongside emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Care begins from the point of diagnosis and works alongside other treatments.

Who is Palliative Care For?
Palliative care is for anyone of any age living with a serious illness - not just cancer, and not only for those in their final days. Conditions supported include:

• Cancer - at any stage
• Heart failure
• COPD and lung disease
• Dementia
• Motor neurone disease and MS
• Parkinson's disease
• Chronic kidney or liver disease
• Any serious illness affecting quality of life

A Holistic Approach to Care
Our team addresses four interconnected dimensions of wellbeing - for patients and families:

Physical
Managing pain, breathlessness, fatigue, and nausea to maximise comfort.

Psychological
Supporting emotional wellbeing - anxiety, depression, and existential distress.

Social and Practical
Care planning, discharge coordination, and support for families and carers.

Spiritual
Spiritual support through our Chaplaincy Team - all faiths and none.

 

The PalliativeTeam at WUTH
Our multidisciplinary team includes Consultants in Palliative Medicine, Specialist Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, and our hospital Chaplaincy Team. We work alongside your ward team and link closely with community services to ensure continuity when you are discharged.

Supportive Care Unit - Ward 30
For patients with more complex needs, the SCU at Arrowe Park Hospital provides specialist, consultant-led care focused on improving symptoms and quality of life. Acute treatment remains available, and admission is always discussed and agreed with patients and families.

Palliative Care Team: 0151 552 1892 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Ward 30 (SCU): 0151 678 5111 - ask for Ward 30
Available: 7 days a week, 9am–5pm including bank holidays

 

Palliative Care Services Across Wirral
WUTH works in close partnership with other specialist organisations to provide a seamless, joined-up palliative care service across the Wirral. Depending on your needs, you may be supported by one or more of these services.

Wirral Palliative Care Advice Line - 24 hours / 365 days a year
Tel: 0151 343 9529
Option 1 - Patient or family member / carer
Option 2 - Professional seeking advice about a patient
Option 3 - Professional calling from a care home (End of Life Team)
Option 4 - Professional calling about someone aged 18–25 (Claire House End of Life Service)

Wirral Hospice St John's
Located on the Clatterbridge Hospital site, offering specialist and supportive care through four key services: Wellbeing, Outpatients, Inpatient Unit, and Hospice at Home.

• Wellbeing services - group sessions and activity programmes to help you cope with illness
• Outpatients - consultations in palliative medicine, counselling, and complementary therapies
• Inpatient Unit - short-stay specialist care for complex symptoms or distress
• Hospice at Home - support at home in the final months and weeks of life, including night sitting
• Bereavement support for family and friends for up to two years after death

Contact:
Tel: 0151 334 2778 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Email: info@wirralhospice.org
Address: Mount Road, Higher Bebington, Wirral, CH63 6JE
Out of hours: Wirral Palliative Care Advice Line - 0151 343 9529

Wirral Community Specialist Palliative Care Team (Macmillan - WCHC)
Part of Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, providing a multi-professional approach for patients with advanced progressive disease, supporting people in their preferred place of care.
• Clinical Nurse Specialists, Senior Nurse Practitioners, and Allied Health Professionals
• Face-to-face home visits, clinic appointments, telephone and virtual consultations
• Seven-day service - referral by any healthcare professional with your agreement
Contact:
Tel: 0151 328 0481 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Email: wcnt.macmillan@nhs.net
More info: www.wchc.nhs.uk/services/specialist-palliative-care/
Out of hours: Wirral Palliative Care Advice Line - 0151 343 9529

Community and Night Nursing (WCHC)
Multiple Community Nursing teams across Wirral providing 24/7 nursing support at home and in care homes. The Night Nursing service (5pm–8am) prevents unnecessary hospital admissions.
• 24-hour, seven-day service across the Wirral
• Night service available 5pm–8am, seven days a week and 365 days a year
• Referral via your GP or Single Point of Access
Contact:
Single Point of Access: 0151 514 2222 (Option 1)
More info: www.wchc.nhs.uk/services/community-nursing/

Claire House Children's Hospice
Providing palliative and end of life care for babies, children, and young adults up to the age of 25 at home, in the hospice, or in hospital. For those aged 18-25, Claire House works collaboratively with adult palliative care services.
• Specialist paediatric palliative care in any setting of the child's choice
• Referrals accepted from patients, parents, family members, or professionals
• Works collaboratively with WUTH and adult services for young adults aged 18–25
Contact:
Tel: 0151 334 4626 (office hours) - ask for the referrals team
Urgent referrals: 0151 334 4626 - ask for the palliative care nurse on call
Email: clairehouse.referrals@nhs.net
Address: Clatterbridge Road, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 4JD
More info: www.clairehouse.org.uk

Your General Practitioner (GP)
As your care needs change, your GP is often your first port of call - coordinating your care and working closely with community nurses, specialist palliative care teams, hospital, and hospice services.
• Help with advance care planning discussions
• Symptom management, practical, emotional, and spiritual support
• Co-ordinating care across all services to ensure continuous support
Contact:
Contact your GP surgery directly
For out-of-hours advice: Wirral Palliative Care Advice Line - 0151 343 9529

Advance Care Planning
Advance Care Planning is a voluntary process of discussion between you, your loved ones, and your care team about your wishes for future care. This may include:

• Advance Statement: your general wishes for care. Not legally binding but must be considered by anyone making decisions on your behalf.
• Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT): a legally binding document specifying treatments you would refuse in defined circumstances.
• Preferred Place of Care: a record of where you would like to be cared for at home, in a hospice, or in hospital.

Speak to your ward nurse, GP, or ask your care team to contact the Palliative Care Team to discuss Advance Care Planning.

Palliative and Bereavement Care at WUTH
Our palliative care and bereavement care are deeply connected. When a patient passes away, our Bereavement Care Team continues to support families including through the Making Memories initiative, providing handcrafted keepsakes such as knitted hearts, ECG jars, and memory boxes.

Contact and Further Support
Bereavement Care Team: wuth.corporatenursing@nhs.net
Palliative Care Team (WUTH): 0151 552 1892 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Ward 30 (SCU): 0151 678 5111 - ask for Ward 30
Wirral Palliative Care Advice Line: 0151 343 9529 (24 hrs / 365 days)

Partner organisations
• Wirral Hospice St John's: 0151 334 2778 | www.wirralhospice.org
• Claire House Children's Hospice: 0151 334 4626 | www.clairehouse.org.uk
• Cruse Bereavement Support: www.cruse.org.uk
• Marie Curie: www.mariecurie.org.uk

 

Please visit our Supportive and Palliative Care page for more information.