Private Palliative Care at our Dublin and Galway Clinics
Palliative care focuses on managing pain and other symptoms associated with a life-limiting illness. It can also work to manage the side effects associated with treatment, with the aim of improving quality of life for a patient and their family.
At Blackrock Health, our Specialist Palliative Medicine teams are committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centred care for those facing life-limiting illnesses.
Who is Palliative Care for?
Though palliative care includes end-of-life care, it can also help support patients earlier in an illness, sometimes even from the time of diagnosis. It can be provided as an integral part of a patient’s care while receiving treatment for an illness. This care may also continue once treatment is complete.
As well as managing physical symptoms, palliative care ensures patients receive comprehensive support for emotional, spiritual and practical needs.
How does Palliative Care work?
Our interdisciplinary team works closely with patients and their families to develop individualised care plans that respect their values, preferences, and goals.
Whether it's through:
- advanced symptom management
- psychological support
- helping with complex decision-making,
Blackrock Health’s Palliative Care service ensures that every patient receives holistic care that prioritises comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Respect for our patient and their family’s needs, values, beliefs, and culture is central to this.
Palliative Care for end-of-life
As patients approach the end of life, the focus may shift to ensuring comfort, dignity, and support through palliative and even hospice care.
Our supportive and palliative medicine teams are dedicated to guiding patients and their families through this challenging journey. We offer expert
- medical care
- emotional support
- assistance with advance care planning,
to ensure that each individual's end-of-life wishes are respected and honoured.
Palliative Medicine for patients with life-limiting illness at Blackrock Health
Palliative care is an approach to care integral to how all our healthcare professionals support patients with life-limiting illnesses.
While this core philosophy underpins care across all care settings, specialist Palliative Medicine teams are available within each of our hospitals to support a patient’s primary team.
Though often associated with cancer care, palliative care is equally important in caring for patients with non-cancer illnesses, such as
- heart disease
- lung disease
- dementia and
- neurological conditions, such as MS and MND.
The Palliative Medicine team
The specialist palliative medicine teams consist of consultants in palliative medicine and specialist nurses. The teams work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team, including:
- physiotherapy
- occupational therapy
- social work
- dietetics
- pastoral care,
to provide specialist, holistic support to patients and their families.
Where can I get this service?
Some of our services are only available in select locations. Please check with your preferred location to confirm that the service you seek is offered there.
Inpatient care
The Specialist Palliative Medicine team is available to inpatients at all three of our hospitals:
- Blackrock Clinic
- Hermitage Clinic
- Galway Clinic
as well as to patients attending the following Blackrock Health facilities:
Patients may remain under the care of their primary medical or surgical team, but care can also be transferred to the Palliative Medicine consultant if appropriate.
Outpatient care
Outpatients can be seen at the Palliative Medicine Clinics, located in:
- Suite 16 at Blackrock Clinic (Supportive Medicine Clinic)
- Suite 33, Galway Clinic
Supportive Medicine Clinic for outpatient
The Supportive Medicine Clinic accepts referrals directly from GPs and other specialists for patients not in hospital. It offers comprehensive, streamlined, specialist care to support patients in remaining independent. This support enables people to live their best in the community, despite their underlying illnesses.
All patients receive consultant-provided medical care and are routinely offered specialist psychological support. The Clinic’s resident psychotherapist can provide:
- CBT
- counselling and psychotherapy
- mental health & well-being coaching
The Supportive Medicine Clinic also offers support to patients’ families. We can help in decision-making and assist them in navigating the best path forward for their loved ones.
Enhanced Community Support
As well as supporting patients attending Blackrock Health, the specialist palliative medicine team works closely with a patient’s GP. Collaboratively we can link patients with enhanced community support, including:
- public health nurse services
- community palliative care services
- hospices
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Palliative Care
At Blackrock Health, we recognise that entering palliative care can raise many questions and concerns for patients and their families. Below are some common inquiries we receive about palliative care to help clarify what to expect.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is a specialised medical approach focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illnesses. Its goal is to improve the quality of life for both patients and their families, regardless of the stage of the disease. This multidisciplinary approach includes expert medical care, psychological support, and spiritual care to address the comprehensive needs of the patient.
What is the difference between Supportive Medicine and Palliative Care?
There is a subtle difference between supportive medicine and palliative care.
Palliative Care focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of serious illness. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Supportive Medicine encompasses a broader range of services. The aim is to support patients through their illness, including:
- managing symptoms
- coordinating care with other consultants and GP
- providing emotional support
Supportive Medicine can be utilised at any stage of a serious illness.
Who can benefit from palliative care?
Palliative care is suitable for individuals facing any chronic or serious illness, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease, neurological disorders, and more. It is appropriate at any stage of illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments. Palliative care teams work to alleviate pain and other distressing symptoms, allowing patients to live more comfortably and maintain their quality of life.
How is palliative care different from hospice care?
Palliative care is different from hospice care in that it can be provided alongside curative treatments and at any stage of a serious illness. The main goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients by managing symptoms, providing emotional support, and addressing spiritual needs. On the other hand, hospice care is specifically for patients who are nearing the end of life and are no longer seeking curative treatments. Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and support to patients and their families during this terminal stage. Overall, palliative care is broader in scope and can be implemented earlier in the illness trajectory, while hospice care is generally for end-of-life comfort care.
How do I access Palliative Care services?
How do I get this?
You will need a referral letter from your GP or consultant before you make an appointment.
My health insurance and costs for Palliative Care services
Is this insured?
Not all services are covered by health insurance. To find out if you're covered, please check your health insurance before your visit. You can do this on our health insurance cover check page, or by contacting your health insurer.
How do I pay?
If you do not have health insurance or your health plan does not cover the full cost, you will need to pay the balance due before your treatment or procedure. You may be able to claim back some fees on your insurance. To pay an excess not covered by your insurance or any other inpatient fees, please visit our payment page. If you have any queries about paying for your care, please contact the finance team in your hospital.
