(Published 2020)

ISBN: 978-1-916019-94-2

Palliative Care Support is an essential textbook for the Level 5 Palliative Care Support module (5N3769), as part of the Healthcare Support, Health Service Skills and Nursing Studies (Pre-Nursing) major awards. It is based on the HSE Palliative Care Competence Framework (Ryan et al, 2014) and uses case studies throughout.

• Guides you through the principles of palliative care, enabling you to apply these principles to your practice and reflect on and evaluate the palliative care you provide

• Details the roles of the health care assistant (HCA) within the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in providing collaborative, quality palliative care to patients and their families

• Examines the need for holistic palliative care services across the lifespan and, in particular, for common chronic illness

• Illustrates how the HCA can promote activities of daily living as part of an agreed person-centred palliative care plan, to support life quality, self-esteem, respect, privacy and dignity

• Defines pain, and its symptoms, assessment and management, to include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological relief from pain

• Describes the common symptoms experienced by patients receiving end-of-life care and how prompt assessment and appropriate management of these can improve quality of life

• Introduces spirituality within the context of palliative care and presents practical information to provide a meaningful contribution to the welfare, values and beliefs of the patient

• Explains how effective communication between the HCA, MDT, the patient and their family is essential to the delivery of quality and compassionate palliative care

• Explores some ethical issues that may be encountered in your role of HCA

• Presents dying as a normal process and, using evidence-based theories and models, reveals the many responses to bereavement and the varying supports required to manage and cope with the bereavement process.

THE AUTHORS

Anita Duffy is a Nurse Tutor in Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services Harold’s Cross, Dublin and Adjunct Lecturer/Assistant Professor in University College Dublin.

Noreen Holland is an Assistant Director of Nursing for Palliative Care in Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services Harold’s Cross, Dublin and Adjunct Lecturer/Assistant Professor in University College Dublin.