Palliative care and symptom relief

Palliative care is about achieving the best possible quality of life for people with a progressive illness, such as some cancer, and for anyone close to them.

The care involves both controlling symptoms and offering emotional, social and spiritual support.

Staff can also provide information and talk through any issues causing concern, both for those with cancer and their family and friends.

Palliative care should be available at any time, from diagnosis onwards. It is often used alongside treatments.

There are 7 hospices (independent registered charities) across Sussex Cancer Network including one for children and young people. Hospices specialize in providing palliative care.

There is misconception by some people that hospices are only for people who are in the end stage terminal phase of life, this is not true all the hospices run day programmes for supporting people during the week. These programmes offer nursing as well as interesting activities and therapies.