A palliative care emergency is a sudden and life-threatening situation or complication that requires immediate attention and management. Since palliative care focuses on improving quality of life rather than curing illness, these emergencies are managed to ease distress and address the specific needs of the patient and their family.

Palliative emergencies can involve acute changes in symptoms or the onset of new, distressing symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life of patients with severe, advanced illnesses. 

Examples of palliative care emergencies include:

• Severe pain
• Bleeding and internal haemorrhaging
• Acute shortness of breath
• Delirium and acute confusion
• Convulsions
• Spinal cord compressions
• Fractures

Our emergency palliative care team includes a range of specialists in-house and within our carefully selected external network. For personalised palliative care, we might suggest:

• Physiotherapists to ease physical discomfort
• Occupational therapists to assist with everyday tasks
• Speech therapists to support communication and swallowing
• Dietitians to tailor meals according to physical capabilities
• Psychological and spiritual advisors to nurture emotional well-being

Rest assured, our warm, professional team is here to support every aspect of your care journey.

Creating a palliative emergency care plan involves thoughtful preparation and collaboration between our residents, their families, and healthcare providers.

The plan aims to ensure that the patient’s wishes are respected and that care is effectively managed during a health crisis, especially when the patient cannot make decisions for themselves. 

Book a consultation with us, and we’ll talk you through every step of creating an emergency palliative care plan. In the meantime, here are some steps we’ll work through with you.

• Understand the patient’s condition: we’ll start by understanding the specifics of the patient's illness, including likely emergencies that could arise and how they should be managed.
• Discuss goals and preferences: we’ll have open discussions with the patient and their families about the goals of care, including how much intervention you wish to have in emergencies. These conversations should cover resuscitation, hospitalisation, and the use of ventilators or feeding tubes.
• Identify a healthcare proxy: you will need to designate a healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney for healthcare, someone who can make medical decisions on the patient’s behalf if they are unable to do so.
• Consult healthcare providers: Work with our healthcare team to understand potential emergency scenarios and how they can be managed according to the patient's wishes. We will also work closely with your preferred external specialists.
• Document the plan: clearly document the agreed-upon care plan, including the patient’s preferences and any specific medical orders, like a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order or other advance directives.
• Communicate the plan: ensure that all family members, caregivers, and healthcare providers are aware of the plan and know where the documents are kept. Consider filing a copy with the patient’s primary healthcare provider and the local hospital.
• Review and update regularly: review the plan periodically and update it as needed, especially if the patient’s condition or preferences change.
• Emergency contacts and information: The plan should include a list of emergency contacts, the healthcare proxy, and essential health information, making it easily accessible in an emergency.

Creating a palliative emergency care plan is critical in ensuring that a patient’s end-of-life care wishes are honoured, providing peace of mind for both the patient and their loved ones. It’s a process that encourages dignity, respect, and compassionate care during the most vulnerable times.