Eating and drinking problems can be common in palliative care. Within our Nutrition and Dietetics Services, we offer direct support to individuals in palliative care. We help to maintain a patient’s quality of life by providing nutritional support that reduces distress when eating and drinking.

Common eating and drinking problems the specialist palliative care dietitian can help with include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Oral problems – dry or sore mouth, taste changes
• Continuing weight loss
• Reduced food intake due to difficulty swallowing
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Anxiety related to eating and drinking

How to access the service

If you are an adult of 18 years or over, and you are living with a progressive illness that is no longer curable, and you are having problems with eating and drinking, you can access this support.

Any health and social care professional involved in your care can refer you.

Useful resources

PHA: When illness affects your appetite (PDF)