What do we do?
The Specialist Palliative Care Team is made up of specialist staff who provide nursing, therapy and medical support to people with a diagnosis of cancer or other serious progressive illness. They work closely with other teams within the hospital and community settings to maximise the quality of life of all adult patients with a diagnosis of cancer or any other advanced progressive illness.  The members of the Specialist Palliative Care Team also provide support for patients' carers to help them cope more easily.

The Team, based at Manchester Royal Infirmary, works with all cancer-specific and other teams that look after patients who have any advanced progressive disease and can provide:

• advice and assistance regarding end of life care
  
  
• symptom management
  
  
• palliative rehabilitation
  
  
• help people to link into other teams for ongoing care and support.

Who are we? back to top of page
Key members of the team
All members can be contacted by telephoning 0161 27 68958

Ursula Haworth

Macmillan Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist and Team Leader

Referral criteria and contact procedures back to top of page
The Specialist Palliative Care Team in-patient service is available between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)   

The Team also has an outpatient clinic available to residents of Central Manchester and to any patient discharged from the Trust. The clinic takes place on Wednesday mornings in Suite E, Main Outpatients department, Manchester Royal Infirmary.  A doctor's referral is needed.

• Patients and carers can contact the team directly on 0161 27 68958, (answerphone available)
  
  
• Staff at the Trust should refer patients and/or carers, with their agreement, through the hospital electronic referral system. If the referral is non-urgent a patient or carer will usually be seen within three working days. Urgent referrals will usually be seen within one working day of referral being received by the Specialist Palliative Care Team
  

Useful links (click on the link to take you to the information)

Getting practical advice for people caring for someone with cancer

National Council for Palliative Care

Hospice Information

Macmillan Cancer Support