A team of EllenorLions Specialist Nurses and a Consultant form the Specialist Palliative Care Team at Darent Valley Hospital. They support patients and their families who are in hospital with cancer or other progressive, life limiting, illnesses.

They work in close collaboration with Darent Valley care teams and with all other health care professionals, including Consultants, to ensure continuity of care. They also provide an opportunity for patients to discuss physical, social and spiritual needs.

The Team provides hospital staff with advice and education on symptom control, ethical decision making and end of life care.

Working closely with GPs, District Nursing Teams and other Community support services they will help patients, families and carers plan their care, and help organise discharge planning to home, Nursing Home or to a Hospice if appropriate.