Palliative care is the active, total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to
curative treatment. Control of pain, of other symptoms, and of social, psychological
and spiritual problems is paramount (European Palliative Care Association, 1998).
It is an approach to care that tries to maximise the quality of life for patients and their
families as they cope with life-threatening and life-shortening illness. It depends
upon the skills and abilities of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals supported by
carers and voluntary agencies, much of the care being given by the primary care
team. One of the aims of palliative care teams is to allow patients to remain in their
own home for as long as possible where this is the patient’s wish.
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