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Palliative care in a different area

Harry A 416ac4
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Hello, 

I am caring for my friend who is nearing end of life.  They live quite a way from me (in the same country but a different health region), and up until this point, I have been travelling there and looking after them as best I can. Their local palliative care team is supporting them. But for various reasons, my friend would prefer to end their days at my home. is it possible for them to move to my flat, and for the local palliative care team from my local health team take over?  If so, what do we need to do to make this happen?

Many thanks  

  • Hi Harry A 416ac4,

    Thank you for getting in touch with us, and welcome to our online community.

    I’m Lorna one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the support line.

    It can be exhausting caring for someone one at end of life and it’s only natural for your friend to want to end their days with you at your home.


    To access palliative care services in another area, and to ensure a smooth transition, you must speak to your friend’s current healthcare providers. They will be able to coordinate your friends care with their new GP, social worker and current pallaitive care team. Your friends healthcare team should then start to make any referrals that are needed to the appropriate services within the new Integrated Care Board (ICB). Your local ICB can be found here.

    It can be emotionally and physically challenging looking after someone at the end of life and you can forget to take care of your own health and wellbeing too. You might find our wellbeing hub useful or you can get in touch with organisations like the Carers Trust for support. It can help talking to others who understand how it feels to care for someone on our Carers only discussion forum.

    I hope this is helpful. If you need any more support, please get back in touch with us.

    Best wishes

    Lorna (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email or use webchat.

    Ref: LB/LZD

    Lorna-Macmillan (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)
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