Features

Wed, January 25, 2012

Media release: January 25, 2012
New palliative care zone at NHS inform

A NEW zone dedicated to information on palliative care has been launched at www.nhsinform.co.uk

The Palliative Care zone brings together a range of information on different aspects of palliative care with the aim of making it easier for people to access quality-assured information from a single trusted health resource.

The new zone is divided into six sections, covering symptoms, planning for the future and preparing for death and bereavement. There is also a section dedicated to babies, children and young people and users can also find information on support organisations and charities offering help to people who have or support someone with a life limiting or life-threatening illness. The zone also signposts to quality-assured external resources such as websites, self help tools and downloadable information leaflets.

NHS 24 has worked closely with the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care on the development of the new information zone. Mark Hazelwood, director of the organisation, said: “Many tens of thousands of people in Scotland live with advanced or life threatening illness. Even more people are supporting a friend, colleague or family member who is affected.

“The Palliative Care Zone is for all these people. It will help them get all the information which they need, whether that information is about managing symptoms, arranging a holiday or planning ahead to cope with possible further deterioration in their condition. Palliative care is about getting the best out of life, even where a cure may not be possible. This zone provides a wealth of practical and useful information, as well as signposting to other resources.”

The Palliative Care zone is the latest addition to the NHS inform website, which also includes sections dedicated to mental health and wellbeing and muscle and joint problems.

NHS 24’s Head of Health Information Services Lynne Huckerby said: “We have worked closely with our partners to ensure that the most-up-to-date, relevant and consistent information on palliative care is available at www.nhsinform.co.uk

“The addition of the Palliative Care zone at www.nhsinform.co.uk is another example of how the NHS inform service is constantly developing to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of people throughout the country.

“We would encourage everyone to make sure that if they are looking for a single source of trusted health information, they visit NHS inform.”

Ends

For further information, please contact NHS 24 Communications on 0141 337 4501.

Editor’s notes

• NHS 24 provides high quality, national telehealth services to people across Scotland through telephone, web, and other digital channels.
• NHS 24 works in close partnership with all health boards and the Scottish Ambulance Service to provide essential services to patients in need of urgent advice and care during the out-of-hours period when their GP surgery is closed.
• NHS 24 contact number: 08454 24 24 24
• NHS 24 employs a range of specialist clinical staff including call handlers, nurse advisors, pharmacists, mental health advisors, dental nurses and special phoneline advisors within Breathing Space.
• NHS 24 provides access to trusted health information through a range of different services, including NHS inform, Care Information Scotland and Life Begins at 40. These services are available to the public via a range of different delivery channels, including the web, telephone and digital TV.
• The Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare is part of NHS 24 and leads the way in delivering innovative new technology-based services to the people of Scotland.
• Follow NHS 24 and NHS inform on Facebook and Twitter.
• The Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care (SPPC) is the representative body for organisations with an interest in palliative care in Scotland. Its members include all the territorial NHS boards, all of Scotland’s hospices, 18 national health voluntary organisations and a range of professional associations.