Palliative Care Services at SALHN
Many of the patients we care for suffer from advanced, life-limiting illnesses and are approaching the end of life. Delivering high quality end of life care includes addressing physical, psychological and spiritual issues supported by skilful communication and shared decision-making.
Specialised services are offered in the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) to provide compassionate and respectful palliative care both in hospital and in the person’s home.
Southern Adelaide Palliative Service (SAPS)
SAPS is a multidisciplinary specialist palliative care service servicing southern Adelaide, providing inpatient consultation, inpatient care at the hospice, medical outpatient services and community nursing care coordination for people with advanced life-limiting illnesses.
Whilst not all patients at the end of life require specialist palliative care services, SAPS exists to support patients, families and staff to deliver excellent care.
Specialist medical and nursing advice is available 24/7:
- Urgent referrals (eg for poorly controlled symptoms) should be phoned through to allow SAPS staff to respond in a timely manner
- Within hours – contact the Palliative Care Liaison Nurse (FMC pager 17862, or pager 17863), and for new referrals, fax a referral through to SAPS (08) 8404 2119 using the Palliative Care Referral Form
- After hours – contact FMC switchboard and ask to be put through to the doctor or nurse, as appropriate
Forms
Palliative Care referral form - SA Health (PDF 613KB) (fax to SAPS - (08) 8404 2119)
Consumer Health Information
SAPS Welcome to the service consumer health information (PDF 135KB)
Contact details
Laurel Hospice (Inpatient)
Telephone: (08) 8404 2210
Fax: (08) 8404 2263
Location: Level 7, Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Building
Directions: Use Southern Carpark, enter through Southern RAP Entrance
Take corridor to lifts. Take lift to level 7.
Map: Flinders Medical Center Precinct Map (PDF 587KB)
Southern Adelaide Palliative Services (Community Team)
Service Director - Kate Swetenham
Telephone: (08) 8404 2058 (24 hours a day)
On-call staff are available after hours on (08) 8404 2058
Fax: (08) 8404 2119