NHS Palliative Care

This is digital version of the third edition of the palliative care pain and symptom control guidelines.

They have been produced by the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network and have been adapted for use in Tameside and Glossop.

They are aimed at the multi-professional health care team involved in prescribing, advising, and administering therapies across all care settings including primary care, hospital, hospice and nursing homes. They are primarily intended for use in the palliative care of adults although many of the principles also apply to children. Many drugs are used in palliative care outside their licensed indication at the prescriber’s discretion. Details of these, together with “typical” doses and maximum doses are included, however, the inclusion of a drug or treatment in these guidelines does not absolve the prescriber of their personal responsibility in providing treatment that they are confident with and can justify and that is tailored to the individual patient’s circumstances.

For further information or advice please contact your local Specialist Palliative Care Team or the 24hour advice line at Willow Wood Hospice.