Palliative care exists to help people live as comfortably as possible during the end of their life by managing their pain and other symptoms. It also includes social and psychological support for families and carers.
Palliative care can take different forms and be administered in different places. It may be delivered at home, in a hospital, at a care home or in a hospice – health professionals will help you to decide what the most appropriate form of care is on a case-by-case basis. For more guidance and advice, visit our page on End of Life Planning & Care.
NHS Palliative Care in Kent
If you think that palliative care might be the appropriate course of action for the person you are caring for, the first step will be to contact your GP or healthcare professional. They will be able to help guide you towards the most appropriate services, be that from home, from a hospital, or from a hospice. The NHS provides palliative care, nursing and therapy in collaboration with other health professionals to help support patients, their families and carers during the last phases of life.
Some hospitals in Kent offer specialist palliative care services which can include help from home, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. You may be referred to these services by your GP or you can contact them directly with any queries:
Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
- Maidstone Hospital phone number: 01622 225024
- Tunbridge Wells Hospital phone number: 01892 635675
- Visit the Palliative Care section of their website
Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust
- Darent Valley Hospital phone number: 01322 428293
- Visit the Palliative Care section of their website
Advance Directives
An advance directive can act as a guide to those making decisions on behalf of someone who is no longer able to communicate their wishes. This is often in regard to what life-sustaining or life-saving medical treatment they would not want in the future. For more information, take a look at our Advance Directive page.
Hospices in Kent
Pilgrims Hospices - East Kent
Pilgrims Hospices offer their services out of therapy centres and inpatient wards in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet. They also offer support at your home, in hospitals and in care homes. Only healthcare professionals can make a referral to Pilgrims, so the first stage in obtaining a referral is through speaking to your GP.
Canterbury
- Address: Pilgrims House Canterbury, Plender House, 56 London Road, Canterbury, CT2 8JA
Ashford
- Address: Pilgrims House Ashford, Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford, TN24 0NE
Thanet
- Address: Pilgrims House Thanet, Ramsgate Rd, Margate, CT9 4AD
- Telephone: 01227 459 700
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Hospice in the Weald - West Kent
Hospice in the Weald offers specialist palliative care in West Kent. There is a hospice day-service and an in-patient ward for individuals who need to stay overnight. Outside of their grounds, they offer a Hospice in the Home service, as well as Counselling and Support for patients and their families. You do not necessarily need a GP to refer you to Hospice in the Weald – friends of family members can refer you through their website or over the phone.
- Address: Hospice in the Weald, Maidstone Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4TA
- Telephone: 01892 820500
- Contact Form
- Visit Website
Heart of Kent Hospice - Maidstone, Aylesford, Tonbridge & Malling
Heart of Kent Hospice provides care from their Hospice in Aylesford, as well as supporting patients in their own homes or residential homes. You may be referred by your GP, another other healthcare professional or access via self-referral.
- Address: Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7PU
- Telephone: 01622 792200
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Ellenor Hospice - North Kent
Based in Gravesend, Ellenor hospice offers day therapy, help at home, wellbeing services, an inpatient ward and more. Adults living in Gravesham, Dartford and Swanley can receive care in their place of choice; from their home, a local care home, or in the Gravesend hospice. Family member, carers or medical professionals are able to make a referral.
- Address: Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 7HQ
- Telephone: 01474 320007
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Wisdom Hospice - Medway
Wisdom Hospice serves the community of Medway. Their provisions include fifteen in-patient beds, bereavement support, advice, and psychosocial support for patients and families. They can also provide palliative care at home, as well as advice and support through their Day Therapy Centre. Referral for the service can be made by any healthcare professional, with the agreement of a GP for in-home patients.
- Address: Wisdom Hospice, High Bank, Rochester, Kent, ME1 2NU
- Telephone: 01634 830456
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Bereavement Support Services in Kent
Bereavement is a difficult and complex process, so it is normal to seek support during this time. It is important to know what help is available to you, which is why we have made a list of organisations and support services in Kent that you might find useful, ranging from counselling to coffee mornings. The full list of support services and groups is available on our Bereavement Support Services in Kent page.