Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Who we are
We are a hospital-based team of consultants, specialist nurses and other health care professionals, who have training and experience in pain and symptom control, we are able to offer specialist advice, information and emotional support. We can also assist with your safe discharge from hospital and facilitate ongoing community support, if required.
Who is palliative care for?
Palliative care is for any patient who has a life-limiting illness, when a cure is not possible. Patients undergoing investigations and do not yet have a full diagnosis can also benefit from our support.
Supportive care is defined as care that aims to improve comfort, function and social support of patients, their families and carers, during all stages of their illness.
How do we help you?
We aim to improve the quality of your life by suggesting medications to help your symptoms and by listening to your concerns, and those of your family and carers. We work closely with your medical/surgical team and ward staff, but we do not take over your care. You will continue to remain under your own specialist consultant, but we can help, advise and support as and when needed.
As a team we are involved in education and training, sometimes medical and nursing students may accompany us on visits. You may be asked from time to time to participate in a patient experience survey or research. You will always be asked for your permission before proceeding.
We aim to manage your symptoms with medication best tailored to your individual needs. In the majority of cases we use medications approved specifically for palliative care. At other times medications, which in our clinical experience, are most likely to benefit you will be medications licensed and used for other indications, but not specifically for your symptoms, for example, some antidepressants are used to treat nerve pain. If you have any questions of concerns regarding this please speak to one of us.
Initial assessment
The person who you have met today has completed an initial assessment of your needs, however, you may meet any member of the palliative team throughout your admission.
Working together
We work closely with other healthcare professionals to help with some wider issues your illness may cause for you and your family/carers. Together we form a multidisciplinary team (MDT), we meet daily to discuss and plan how best to meet your needs.
If you are known to a community palliative team we may access information from them to help understand your needs. We will also share/update information with them when you are discharged from hospital regarding your care needs.
Community support
We have close links with the community palliative care teams who are based at Thames Hospice, Rennie Grove and Marlow. All of these teams offer ongoing support to patients in their own homes, should it be required. Upon discharge we will refer to the appropriate community team, where appropriate. The ward will inform your GP and District Nursing Team of your admission.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
The PALS team are based in the hospital and are there to listen to your concerns and suggestions on how to improve care. They also offer advice, provide information for patients and their families/carers and deal with issues on your behalf. To contact them please call 0300 615 3365 (Monday – Friday 0830-1630).
Chaplaincy
The hospital Chaplaincy team are available to provide support during your hospital stay. They are contactable 7 days a week (Monday-Friday, 08.00-16.00) via the ward staff or on
- 0300 614 5000 Wexham Park Hospital
- 0300 613 4184 Frimley Park Hospital
Useful telephone numbers
Macmillan Cancer Support - 0800 808 0000
Thames Hospice Community Team - 01753 848925
| Wexham Park Hospital | Frimley Park hospital |
|
Rennie Grove Community Team - 01494 877222 |
The Fountain Centre (Guildford) - 01483 406618 |
|
Marlow Community Team - 01628 480261 |
Woking Hospice - 01483 881750 |
| Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care - 01252 729440 |
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Palliative care service.
About this information
Service:
Palliative care
Reference:
NN/008
Approval date:
16 February 2026
Review date:
1 February 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.