![]() I spend 2 sessions at our community Hospice ( “Helderberg Hospice” ) every week and bring Palliative care to patients. Palliative Care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain, physical stress, and mental stress of a serious illness—whatever the diagnosis. The goal of such therapy is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family and is provided by a team of physicians, nurses, and other health professionals who work together to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment. Helderberg Hospice specifically offers care and support to those living with cancer, HIV/Aids, Motor Neurone Disease and any end-stage illness. See http://helderberghospice.org.za The mainstay of Palliative Care is not to hasten or delay dying but to embrace quality of life. Recent developments are challenging this central ethical premise and we are in South Africa discussing the possibility of a new treatment option of assisted suicide. We as a society need to reflect carefully on benefits and risks to our community of these new possible treatment options. Dr Mark Hosking Comments are closed.
|
Authors:These articles are written by the doctors of New Street Surgery on a variety of topics. |