Your GP has overall responsibility for your care while you are at home. Your GP can help manage your symptoms, discuss your treatment options, and support you with any concerns you may have.
If needed, your GP can also refer you to other healthcare professionals for additional support.
If you need urgent advice or care when your GP surgery is closed, contact Dalriada Urgent Care on 028 2566 3500.
District nursing
In the community, the district nurse is the palliative care key worker for people living with a palliative illness. This means that the community nursing team, led by the district nurse, will link closely with your GP and other professionals to co-ordinate your palliative care services. They are the main point of contact for someone with palliative needs.
The community nursing team can provide practical and emotional support for you and those close to you. They help manage any symptoms or care needs you may have such as pain, breathlessness, skin care or toileting problems.
Your GP or hospital ward team can refer you to your local community nursing team.
Hospital Diversion Nursing Team
The Hospital Diversion Nursing Team is an extension to the District Nursing Team.
The team provides care at home for people with palliative care needs who have more urgent health problems. For example, they can give treatments such as intravenous (IV) antibiotics or blood transfusions at home.
District nurses, Dalriada Urgent Care, or hospital staff can refer you to this team.
Community Specialist Palliative Care
Northern Trust Community Specialist Palliative Care (SPC) Team
The Community Specialist Palliative Care Team currently provides a service in the Mid Ulster area only. The team includes a Macmillan SPC social worker, dietitian and chaplain, who are supported by a Macmillan consultant in palliative medicine and work closely with NI Hospice.
Your GP, community nurse or any healthcare professional involved in your care can refer you to this team
Northern Ireland Hospice – Community Specialist Palliative Care Team
The Northern Ireland Hospice provides specialist palliative nursing care in the community for people living in the Northern Trust area. This care is provided by specialist nurses who have advanced training and experience in palliative care. They work alongside your GP and district nurse to provide extra support and advice if your needs become more complex.
Their aim is to work with GPs and other professionals to co-ordinate a plan of care to manage your symptoms and care, while also supporting those important to you. They aim to support you to stay at home, where possible, if that is your wish, and to avoid unexpected hospital admissions.
Your GP, district nurse or ward team can make a referral to this team.
Hospice at Home Service (NI Hospice)
The Hospice at Home Service provides nursing care in your own home. It also offers practical help, emotional support, and short breaks (respite) for families and carers.
Nurses from this service usually provide care overnight, but they can also be available during the day and early evening if needed.
Your GP, district nurse, or another healthcare professional involved in your care can refer you to this service.
Marie Curie Services
You can find more information about the services listed below on the Marie Curie website:
Marie Curie Hospice Care at Home
The Northern Trust works with Marie Curie to provide extra care and support for people who need end-of-life care at home. Marie Curie nurses work alongside your district nurse to provide care and support in your own home.
Referrals to Marie Curie are usually made by district nurses and the Hospital Diversion Nursing Team.
Marie Curie Urgent Hospice Care at Home
Registered nurses based within Dalriada Urgent Care service are available from 10:00pm to 8:00am, seven nights per week and 8:00am to 10:00pm at weekends and public holidays.
If you need urgent advice or care out of hours, you can contact a Marie Curie Nurse through the Dalriada Urgent Care Out of Hours Service on 028 2566 3500.
Marie Curie Companion Service
The Marie Curie Companion Service offers support from trained volunteers. They can visit you at home or speak with you on the phone for up to three hours each week.
This service is free and available to people aged 18 or over who have a palliative illness, as well as their families.
The service can provide companionship, emotional support, and a listening ear for both patients and those close to them.
Your health and social care professional can refer you to this service, or you can refer yourself.
Useful resources
There are many other professionals and services who can support you at home, including help with practical needs, equipment and emotional support.
- Find out more about services providing palliative and end-0f-life care.
You can also watch our ‘Meet the Experts’ video series to learn more about palliative care in Northern Ireland.
These short videos introduce the different healthcare professionals who support people and families receiving palliative care and explain the role each person plays.