We are a team of social work professionals who specialise in working with individuals with palliative care needs. For example, individuals who have a life limiting illness such as cancer or a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease. We work as part of a multidisciplinary team including Dr’s, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and chaplaincy to ensure patients and their families have the care and support they need.
Our role is very diverse and is centred on what the patient or their family needs. This includes both practical and emotional support. Such supports include, helping patients ensure they are receiving all their benefits, assisting with a blue badge or obtaining grants, to supporting patients to make a will. Often we support patients who reside in the community with advice and guidance in respect of respite, care provision and how to contact Sheffield City Council if needed.
We work closely with the doctors, nurses and therapists at the hospice and with your permission we can liaise with the other organisations and services you may come into contact with. Our goal is to enable you to maintain a quality of life wherever you choose to live, and to live with dignity and choice.
You might be a day patient coming in once a week to the Therapies and Rehabilitation Centre or staying on the ward in the In Patient unit. You may bee based entirely at home. Whatever your circumstances, we are on hand to help. We are employed by St Luke’s and we are all based at the hospice. Our service is open during normal office hours and usually one evening a week; we can be contacted by phone, email or a visit to the hospice.
We are here for family members, friends and carers as well as for patients and we can talk over difficulties in confidence. If you think we can help, please get in touch directly via a member of one of the nursing teams at St Luke’s.
How to contact a member of the Social Work team: