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Palliative Care
If you are caring for a person with advanced cancer, you may be concerned as to whether you're providing adequate care.
You might be coping relatively well, but extra information and support may help - like finding out about what sort of problems could occur, how to deal with them and where to get assistance. Help is available Your family doctor is an important provider of medical care and support. Ask if he/she is prepared to do home visits and be available at night for medical emergencies. Public hospitals and larger private hospitals provide a comprehensive range of services including dieticians, physiotherapy, specialist oncology services and pain clinics. Specialist nurses can help with nutrition, incontinence, stoma care, symptom control and care of the dying.
Cancer Council provides a range of services and publications that may be helpful, including our Cancer Connect or Cancer Counselling Service. Call Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 to talk to a Nurse Counsellor for more information.
What services are available?
Hospice services focus on quality of life remaining when cure is no longer feasible. They support patients and others involved in care whether it's at home, in hospital or a hospice unit.
No charge is made to patients or family for hospice team member visits. Referrals can be made by doctors, nurses, a variety of health and social service agencies, family members and patients. Palliative care services are also available in many country areas in South Australia.
Hospice and palliative care service locations provided by the Palliative Care Council SA
Nursing services
The Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) provides comprehensive nursing care to people in their own homes throughout Adelaide and in some country regions. RDNS Liaison Sisters are based at large hospitals and can help with discharge planning.
No fee is charged for RDNS services and referrals are accepted from any source. In country areas local hospitals co-ordinate a visiting nurse service. Contact them directly. Private nursing agencies in Adelaide also provide visiting and in-home nursing services. Fee rebates are available with top hospital cover from the health funds. Check with your health fund to see if you are elegible. Look under "Nurses" in the Yellow Pages.
Nursing service and domiciliary care locations provided by the Palliative Care Council SA
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Info & support 
