Palliative care in hospital

Hospitals deliver care at the end of life in various ways. General medical services, geriatric services and subspecialty teams care for many patients with palliative care needs without referral to specialist palliative care services. In hospitals where specialist palliative care services are available, they may provide consultation and advice only, or they may manage patients, either in a general ward or a dedicated palliative care unit. Some hospitals provide palliative care outpatient clinics to support patients in the community.

Small rural hospitals may manage with a single palliative care room and services that are activated only when a patient is in need. Care in small hospitals may be supported by formal links to specialist palliative care services in larger centres.