The increase in the number of older adults in Hong Kong characterizes an increase in the number of people living with chronic and progressive diseases. There are evidence that palliative care can improve the quality of life to those patients. The challenge to provide high quality of palliative care service throughout patient’s disease journey is undoubtedly a burning issue. Through the corporate scholarship program, we have the opportunity to visit Royal Free Hospital in United Kingdom about the palliative care service.
The palliative care team (PCT) has specialist skills in pain relief and symptom management and provides emotional support and advice on terminal illness. It works closely with the occupational therapy and physiotherapy departments, as well as chaplaincy teams and community palliative care services, including local hospices and community providers. The PCT works closely with all health care professionals involved in a patient's end of life care. The seamless collaboration between GPs and palliative care team continues to provide support for patients in community. The consultative team in Royal Free hospital provided service to cancer and non-cancer patients in palliative care needs.
Other than to give advice on symptom management to parent team, the role of nurses in PCT are very crucial that facilitates the family meeting for decision making, goal of care and understanding the expectation from patients and their families. They also showed competency on screening referral with categorisation of priority. Thus, the role and competency of PC nurse has room to enhance for better palliative care service in Hong Kong.
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