{mosimage}Palliation is derived from a Latin word "PALLIUM" meaning to CLOAK or to SHELTER.
Our aim is to promote and maintain the best possible quality of life for patients with cancer and certain other conditions within their own home e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease, to encourage individuals to participate fully in their care, to understand their illness, and to approach death in their own particular way and in a place of their choice. As Specialist Palliative Home Care Nurses we work in a multidisciplinary team, ensuring that a patient’s care is continuous and co-ordinated.

We are also involved in more formal education programmes in palliative care. At all times the patient's GP retains the responsibility for medical care and prescribing medication. The Public Health Nurse retains the responsibility for assessment of need and provision of holistic nursing care, working in partnership with the Specialist Palliative Home Care Team and other members of the multidisciplinary team to provide the best possible care for the patients and their family.
As Specialist Palliative Home Care Nurses we provide assessment of need, make recommendations and onward referral where appropriate. Monitoring, controlling and alleviating symptoms thereby enhancing quality of life.
Psychological and emotional support is offered to patients, family and carers. Onward referral to specialist bereavement service where appropriate is also available.
Specialist advice and support is also provided to other professional staff, carers and the general public.
Referrals to our service can be made through the patients’ own General Practitioner, Consultant in Palliative medicine. Consultant Oncologists or other Hospital Consultants.
For support and advice at weekends and outside of hours, contact can be made with the consultant multidisciplinary team based at Donegal Hospice in Letterkenny, tel 074-91-77256. 

Together we care.