Hospital/Inpatient Specialist Palliative Care

The Trust provides palliative care to many patients in hospital wards and outpatient clinics.

Palliative care is about helping people with a palliative illness to have the best possible quality of life. It also supports families and carers. It focuses on managing symptoms, as well as providing emotional, social and spiritual support.

In hospital, palliative care is an important part of the care given by ward doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff. Professionals work together as a team to meet your needs. This may include specialists in areas such as heart disease, lung disease, kidney problems, neurological conditions and dementia.

Some patients or ward teams may need additional support from the Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Team.

Macmillan Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Team

The Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Team is made up of specialist palliative care doctors, nurses, pharmacists and a chaplain. They are based in Antrim Area and Causeway Hospitals. The team also provides support to patients and staff in Holywell Hospital, Dalriada, Robinson, Moyle (Inver), Mid Ulster and Whiteabbey hospitals.

They can support patients who have more complex needs, such as managing difficult or unresolved symptoms, or when extra emotional, social or spiritual support is needed.

The team can also help with complex discharge planning or end-of-life care. They can also offer advice and guidance on planning ahead and thinking about the future.

The Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Team can see patients at any stage of their illness, from diagnosis onwards.

With your permission, your doctor can refer you to the Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Team, if your palliative care needs require specialised support.

Macmillan Unit, Antrim Area Hospital

The Macmillan Unit in Antrim is a specialist inpatient unit with 12 single rooms for adults aged 18 and over who have more complex palliative care needs.

The unit provides care for people with serious, life-limiting illnesses such as advanced cancer, lung disease, motor neurone disease, kidney failure and heart failure.

The main aim is to help patients have the best possible quality of life. Care is centred on the whole person and may include:

Specialist assessment and management of symptoms
Support with rehabilitation and maintaining independence
Emotional and social support
Practical help
Complementary therapies
End-of-life care

Each patient has a private ensuite room with access to an outdoor space. Rooms are designed to be comfortable and spacious – and can accommodate a family member staying overnight. Staff are also available to support family members during this time.

The unit also has shared spaces, including:

a day room
quiet room for reflection
a relative’s room.

Watch this short video to learn more about the Macmillan Unit and the care and support it provides.

How to contact us

Macmillan Unit, Antrim Area Hospital, Bush Road, Antrim, BT41 2RL

Telephone: 028 9442 4394

How to access this service

You may be admitted to the Macmillan Unit if you need specialist care that cannot be provided elsewhere. Priority is given to patients and carers living in the Northern Trust area, but people from other areas may be considered, depending on their needs. Patients are admitted to the unit based on how urgently they need care and when a bed becomes available.

While waiting for admission, patients and their families will still receive support and advice from specialist palliative care teams. This may be from the Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Team or the Northern Ireland Hospice Community Palliative Care Team, depending on where the patient is being cared for. If needed, a palliative medicine consultant can also arrange a home visit to provide additional support.

Northern Ireland Hospice Inpatient Unit, Somerton House

Somerton House is for adults with specialist palliative needs. It is a modern, welcoming and comfortable unit, with 18 individual patient bedrooms.

The Hospice’s team of specialists help patients to live well and as comfortably as possible, while supporting them to manage complex symptoms and any social, emotional or spiritual concerns. Family and friends are an important part of this care, with support available to help everyone cope before and after a bereavement.

The team includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, complementary and creative therapists, housekeepers and volunteers, all working together to support your care.