Terminally ill patients: Lucknow’s KGMU plans palliative care at home, to form teams

The premier health institution of Lucknow plans to cater to the needs of terminally ill patients and their families

Terminally ill patients in the state capital will soon be able to avail of expert advice from a team of palliative care experts, as the King George’s Medical University (KGMU) is planning to start home visits by such teams.

“We are working to form teams from among paramedical and nursing students/staff which can visit houses of terminally ill patients and explain to the family about taking care and dealing with emergency situations, including the time of death,” said Prof Sarita Singh, senior faculty member, department of anaesthesia, who attended a session on pain management ‘Basics in palliative care for paramedical and nursing students’, organised on Thursday.

“Breaking bad news has a way so that it is accepted by patients. A medical staff member needs to understand the manner in which such news is to be broken so that the patient does not go into depression but accepts it gradually,” said another faculty member at the training session.

“Once formed, the teams will remain in touch with family members of a terminally ill patient. They shall visit and guide the family over the telephone in an emergency,” said Prof GP Singh, HoD, anaesthesia.

“It is palliative care that gives quality to life at the end stage. There are life-limiting diseases that patients suffer from, and many times are sent home by hospitals. In such a situation, proper care gives life quality,” said Prof Sarita Singh.