Our publication ‘Palliative Care & PH’ aims to get people talking about palliative care, so that more patients and families can benefit. In this video, pulmonary hypertension consultant Dr John Wort shares his thoughts on this important support that is so often misunderstood….
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“I like to describe palliative care to my patients as being part of symptom control, but it’s much more than that. It’s much more holistic and involves looking after emotional aspects, psychological aspects, financial aspects and more.
Palliative care is not just for the patient; it can help with all these aspects for families, carers, and friends too. They are sharing their journey, emotions, and sometimes fears.
Palliative care can happen at any stage of the patient’s journey, and it should be addressed right from the beginning. For instance, if a patient is newly diagnosed, the main issues may be breathlessness, anxiety, and fear – and palliative care is really important there.
If you have questions about palliative care, don’t be scared about asking them. I think having more information, like the new resource being provided by the PHA UK, should give patients confidence, and empower them to have those conversations.
It’s important that people aren’t left with a negative feeling about palliative care, as there are so many negative connotations with it. Flip it over and see it as positive, as it’s about trying to help the patient live well and have a better quality of life.
It’s about so much more than end-of-life care. Palliative care is for the whole patient journey, and for their loved ones too. “
– Dr John Wort
