Palliative Care Support
Comprehensive account of working and interacting with others in the area of palliative care.
The author of this essay is a Health Care Assistant for three years and works as a member of a Hospice Home Care Team. For the purpose of this assignment the author will outline a selection of evidence of their work and interaction with their Palliative Care Clients and the Palliative Care Team. For the privacy and dignity of the client we will refer to the client as John (an alias) and me as the author or HCA (Health Care Assistant).
John is a 78 year old single man who has retired from farming. John has a nephew, Tom (name changed to protect his identity) who works at the farm everyday although he lives a few miles away. John is a very happy and independent person; he has many good neighbours who stop in regularly to visit.
John was diagnosed with stage 3 Prostate Cancer 4 years ago. The client has undergone treatment however the cancer has spread and tumours have developed in the groin area. John underwent surgery to remove the tumours and contracted MRSA while recovering in hospital. The MRSA has prevented the surgical area from healing completely and as John’s HCA it is my responsibility to change his dressings several times per week. The client is terminal and is currently receiving Palliative Care in his home.
The Palliative care team consists of John’s nephew Tom, the local GP, oncologist consultant, Palliative Care Nurse and the HCA. The nephew, Tom, is largely responsible for ensuring that John makes it to his medical appointments and caring for his daily needs. Tom is very busy with farm work and as John’s health has deteriorated he is becoming more reliant on certain members of the Palliative Care Team. Although John’s local GP and Oncologist Consultant are members of the Care Team, they are not involved in the daily care of him. The Palliative Care Nurse is calling in on John once a week and more if necessary. The nurse communicates with the HCA
The author of this essay is a Health Care Assistant for three years and works as a member of a Hospice Home Care Team. For the purpose of this assignment the author will outline a selection of evidence of their work and interaction with their Palliative Care Clients and the Palliative Care Team. For the privacy and dignity of the client we will refer to the client as John (an alias) and me as the author or HCA (Health Care Assistant).
John is a 78 year old single man who has retired from farming. John has a nephew, Tom (name changed to protect his identity) who works at the farm everyday although he lives a few miles away. John is a very happy and independent person; he has many good neighbours who stop in regularly to visit.
John was diagnosed with stage 3 Prostate Cancer 4 years ago. The client has undergone treatment however the cancer has spread and tumours have developed in the groin area. John underwent surgery to remove the tumours and contracted MRSA while recovering in hospital. The MRSA has prevented the surgical area from healing completely and as John’s HCA it is my responsibility to change his dressings several times per week. The client is terminal and is currently receiving Palliative Care in his home.
The Palliative care team consists of John’s nephew Tom, the local GP, oncologist consultant, Palliative Care Nurse and the HCA. The nephew, Tom, is largely responsible for ensuring that John makes it to his medical appointments and caring for his daily needs. Tom is very busy with farm work and as John’s health has deteriorated he is becoming more reliant on certain members of the Palliative Care Team. Although John’s local GP and Oncologist Consultant are members of the Care Team, they are not involved in the daily care of him. The Palliative Care Nurse is calling in on John once a week and more if necessary. The nurse communicates with the HCA