Everyone deserves compassion, dignity, and respect, especially during life’s most challenging times. This page provides information about palliative and end-of-life care for all individuals and their loved ones and links you to the HPAL website where you will find information about all the services that are available to support you in north west London.
Our commitment
We believe that everyone, no matter their background, should feel seen, heard, and respected. Our goal is to ensure that care is compassionate, inclusive, and tailored to your needs.
Palliative care v's End of Life Care
Palliative and end-of-life care focuses on enhancing the well-being of individuals with life-limiting illnesses as their health declines and cannot be reversed.
Palliative care is a treatment, care and support approach that focuses on improving your quality of life by managing symptoms, relieving pain, and addressing the side effects of your condition. It also provides support for your emotional and practical needs, along with those of your family, friends and caregivers.
End-of-life care is specific type of care for individuals nearing the final stages of their life. It aims to ensure comfort, dignity, and support, managing symptoms and providing emotional and practical assistance.
Generalist v's Specialist Palliative Care
Generalist palliative and end-of-life care is provided by healthcare professionals such as a general practitioner (GP), community nurses (including district nurses), care home staff, therapists, domiciliary home care staff and hospital ward staff who have a general understanding of and training in palliative care.
Specialist palliative and end-of-life care is provided by a specialist palliative care multidisciplinary team including but not limited to doctor, nurses, therapists, social workers and psychologists. They work with a patient’s regular care teams in the community to provide additional support and guidance for complex symptoms and challenges. This type of care is not required by all palliative and end of life patients.
Compassionate care for all
Compassionate care for all is a north west London–wide programme designed to improve adult community specialist palliative care services. Developed with patients, carers, clinicians and partner organisations, it sets out how services will become more consistent, equitable and accessible across all boroughs.
This page explains the outcomes of the public consultation, the decisions that were made, and the next steps for implementing the new model of care.
The animation below explains how these changes will improve the care and support the patient, familiy and carers can expect to receive.