Specialist Palliative Care Referral Information
(Guidance for healthcare professionals)
We understand that people living with serious illness may have many different needs, and several teams may be involved in their care. The information below is designed to guide healthcare professionals when considering a referral to Specialist Palliative Care (SPC).
Who the Service Is For
Our SPC team supports adults who are living with an advanced, progressive, life‑limiting illness and who have complex needs that require specialist input. This may include:
- Symptoms that are difficult to manage
- Emotional or psychological distress
- Carer or social issues that significantly impact on the patient’s physical or psychological state
- Concerns about end‑of‑life care or complicated grief
We work alongside primary and community teams to support people whose needs go beyond what general palliative care/primary care can safely and comfortably manage.
Referral criteria
To ensure specialist care reaches those who need it most, referrals are appropriate when the person:
- Is 18 years or older (if under 18yrs and transitioning to adult services please telephone the service discuss).
- Lives within our catchment area and is registered with a GP locally
- Has an advanced, progressive, life‑limiting illness, or has significant uncertainty regarding their potential for recovery.
- Has complex physical, psychological, or social needs that have not improved despite good generalist care
- Agrees to the referral (or, if lacking capacity, the referral is in their best interests)
If you’re unsure whether a referral is appropriate, please contact us — we are always happy to advise.
When to Refer
A referral may be helpful:
- Early in the illness if symptoms or worries are becoming difficult to manage
- When family or carers are feeling under strain and this is significantly impacting on the patient’s physical or psychological state
- At any point when specialist guidance would improve quality of life
How to Refer or Contact Us
Professionals, patients, and families are all welcome to make contact if they feel specialist support may help. Professionals may contact us for advice before making a referral.
Contact options
- Email: uhd.macunitadmin@nhs.net
- Telephone: 0300 019 5470
- In person: e.g. at GP surgery palliative care meetings
UHD professionals: please use the electronic referral form on the intranet.
Patients/families: you are welcome to self‑refer; for community referrals we ask that your GP is informed.
Information Helpful to Include
For all referrals:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Hospital or NHS number
- Current location
- Main concerns or reason for referral
- Referrer contact details
For community referrals, please also include:
- Home address
- Telephone number
- GP information
What the Service Cannot Provide
To avoid misunderstanding, please note we are unable to offer:
- Respite care
- Long‑term admissions
- Practical community nursing (e.g. medication administration, arranging care packages*)
- Input for stable, non‑progressive conditions
*Hands‑on nursing care at home in the last days/weeks of life is available only for patients already under the Specialist Palliative Care Team.
