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 assessing and developing an individualised management plan for your symptoms. 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. One of the ways in which we may manage your symptoms is through medications.
Some medicines we recommend may be licensed for other conditions but are also effective in treating certain symptoms. For example, some antidepressants can be used to help manage nerve pain. If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, please speak to a member of the Palliative Care Team.
Discharge from palliative care service
The Hospital Palliative Care Team provides specialist support on an episodic basis and may be involved in your care for only a short period during your hospital admission. Once we have assessed your needs and provided advice and treatment to help manage your symptoms, we will discharge you from our service when your symptoms are well controlled. Your hospital ward team will continue to support you and oversee your ongoing care and treatment.
If your symptoms change or new concerns develop in the future, your ward team can refer you back to the Palliative Care Team for further advice and support.
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 in local hospices. 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.
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
Frimley Park Hospital
0300 613 6755 Monday to Saturday8.30am to 4.30pm
Wexham Park Hospital
0300 615 4879 Monday to Saturday8.30am to 4.30pm
Macmillan Cancer Support - 0800 808 0000
| Wexham Park Hospital | Frimley Park hospital |
|
Rennie Grove Community Team - 01494 877222 |
Thames Hospice Community Team - 01753 848925 |
|
Florence Nightingale hospice - 01296 332600 |
Woking Hospice - 01483 881750 |
| Thames Hospice Community Team - 01753 848925 | 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.