Community Palliative Care Teams
There are twelve specialist palliative care community nurses who are based at the Macmillan Unit - some of them work part time. They are linked to GP surgeries in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Ringwood, Highcliffe and New Milton. The team is available every day from 8am to 5pm. A member of the team is available at weekends and bank holidays. If the team are out of the office you can leave a message on 0300 019 5470 and we will get back to you.
There are seven community specialist palliative care nurses who are based at Forest Holme Hospice. They are linked to all of the GP surgeries in Poole, Wimborne, Cranborne and the Isle of Purbeck and often attend meetings with the primary health care team. The specialist palliative care nurses are available from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Please phone the 24 hour advice line 0300 0198115 or Forest Holme secretarial department 0300 019 8118.
What is the role of my community specialist nurse?
The community specialist nurses work alongside your GP, district nurses and anyone else involved in your care.
Our support aims to enable you and your family maintain the best possible quality of life and help you to adapt and cope with your illness and the effect it has on you.
You will have regular contact with a named keyworker, by telephone, video consultation or in person, we also work as a team so in their absence someone else could help.
How we can help
- Controlling symptoms such as pain or shortness of breath, this may include altering your medications
- Discussing your hopes and wishes for the future and helping you plan
- Referral for additional support and counselling for you and your family
- Helping to arrange for practical help if you are unable to care for yourself
- Referral for financial advice
Should your situation change it may be appropriate to discharge you from our service and your needs will be met by the most appropriate team.
