The aim of the community specialist Palliative Care service is to provide the highest quality care to alleviate pain and distressing symptoms for people with life threatening illness, and to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to them, their family and their carers.

The team consist of specialist staff who are trained in Palliative Care.  In the team there are St Luke's specialist nurses, social workers and occupational therapists.  We work in partnership with the patient’s general practitioner (GP) and district nurse.  Your own GP remains responsible for your care, even when the specialist team is involved.

We visit people at home, in nursing and residential homes and in community hospitals.  Volunteers work within the team to offer extra support to patients and families.

Our role includes the following:
- Supporting and advising individuals with cancer and other life threatening illnesses.
- Assessment and advice on management of physical symptoms such as pain and sickness.
- Emotional support to patients and carers.
- Specialist advice to GP’s and other community professionals.
- Liaison with other professionals such as social services, occupational therapists and hospital teams.

St Luke’s Community Specialist Palliative Care Team covers the City of Plymouth and surrounding areas in Devon, including those around Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge and Tavistock. Referral to this service can be by a patient’s GP, doctor, district nurse, hospital or St Luke's Hospice Palliative Care Team. Self-referral is also possible by ringing the main Pearn number on 01752 436730.