Private Supportive Medicine services at our Dublin Clinics
Supportive Medicine is a Consultant-led, specialised, whole-person care and treatment that focuses on maximising a person’s comfort and quality of life while living with a serious or chronic illness diagnosis. We achieve this by preventing, controlling, and relieving pain, distress, and other symptoms that are often associated with a serious illness.
Who is supportive medicine for?
Referral to the Supportive Medicine service is not restricted by a person’s age, diagnosis, or at what stage of their illness they are at.
Supportive Medicine works alongside, and at the same time as, routine medical care and/or treatment aimed at curing and/or controlling the underlying illness, and can extend into cure, recovery, and rehabilitation from serious illness.
Some examples of the conditions cared for by the Supportive Medicine service include:
● Cancer pain and symptom management
● Heart failure and other cardiac conditions
● Lung conditions, e.g. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), lung fibrosis
● Chronic Kidney Disease (on and off dialysis)
● Neurological disorders, e.g. Parkinson’s, MS, Motor Neurone Disease
● Dementia
● Psychological support for patients with chronic and serious illnesses
● Complex chronic disease management in the Elderly
● Recovery and Rehabilitation from serious illness, e.g.
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Cancer survivorship
What to expect at Blackrock Health Supportive Medicine service
The Supportive Medicine Consultant and team aim to ensure that the most appropriate and individualised plan of care is devised for each person. The emphasis is on coordination and streamlining of clinical care. Where appropriate, this can reduce the need for attendance at multiple specialist clinics. This is particularly relevant to older people with more than one chronic, co-existing, medical condition.
Maximum benefit to the patient is achieved by close communication with a person’s GP and other consultant specialists.
The Supportive Medicine Clinic offers a holistic service. It supports patients to identify what matters most to their quality of life. This helps them identify and achieve treatment goals, as well as personal goals.
Serious illness can impact not only a patient’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being but also their family. The Supportive Medicine service can offer support to families and carers too. For some, this may extend to Bereavement Support.
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.
The Supportive Medicine service is available to inpatients at:
- Blackrock Clinic and Hermitage Clinic
The Supportive Medicine Clinic is available to outpatients from Suite 16 at Blackrock Clinic.
Supportive Medicine for the inpatient
For inpatients, the service works alongside the patient's primary medical or surgical team. It supports patients towards a successful discharge from the hospital. This happens by engaging early in the admission to identify what care and supports need to be put into place to support discharge.
After discharge, follow-up care can be provided by the Consultant and team at the Supportive Medicine Clinic. This might be for:
- medication management and monitoring
- clinical support
- needs assessments,
when required, to ensure seamless re-adjustment to life at home.
Supportive Medicine Clinic for outpatient
The Supportive Medicine Clinic accepts referrals directly from GPs and other specialists for patients not in hospital. It offers Consultant-led 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 to navigate the best path forward for their loved ones.
The three pillars of supportive medicine
The three pillars of the Supportive Medicine approach to care are:
- controlling physical symptoms
- optimising physical functioning
- maximising psychosocial well-being
This is achieved by a carefully coordinated approach taken by an extended multidisciplinary team. The team consists of specialists such as:
- consultant physicians
- psychotherapists
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- medical social workers
- dietitians and nutritionists
- speech and language therapists
- chaplains
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Supportive Medicine at Blackrock Health
At Blackrock Health hospitals we recognise that visiting our Supportive Care services can be stressful and uncertain for you and your loved ones.
To ease your concerns and provide clear information, we’ve created a list of FAQs about our Supportive Medicine services. We aim to offer expert care, ensuring timely and efficient treatment.
What is Supportive Medicine?
Supportive medicine is a form of medical care that focuses on providing relief from:
- symptoms,
- side effects
- stress,
related to a serious illness or condition, such as cancer, heart disease, or chronic pain.
It aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their families through a combination of:
- medical treatments
- emotional support
- holistic care
Supportive medicine often includes:
- symptom management
- pain control
- counselling
- palliative care,
to ensure that patients are as comfortable and as pain-free as possible throughout their treatment journey.
This approach is designed to complement traditional medical treatments. It can help patients maintain their dignity and independence while coping with a serious illness.
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 the patient’s GP
- providing emotional support
Supportive Medicine can be utilised at any stage of a serious illness.
How do I access the outpatient Supportive Medicine Clinic?
Your GP or other primary care specialist can refer you to the Supportive Medicine Clinic for evaluation and treatment.
Who provides Supportive Medicine?
Supportive medicine is provided by a personalised multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including:
- consultant physicians
- psychotherapists
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- nurses
- dietitians
- speech and language therapists
- medical social workers
- chaplains
These individuals work together to provide holistic care and support for patients facing serious illnesses or conditions.
Supportive medicine focuses on improving the quality of life, managing symptoms, and addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families. This approach helps to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care that considers their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
My health insurance and costs for Supportive Medicine Clinic 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.
