There are two specialist palliative care inpatient units. Specialist advisory services are available for all Lothian hospitals and throughout the Community Division.
Specialist palliative care telephone advice is always available.
The Palliative Care Guidelines provide information and resources on management of a wide range of palliative care problems.
Referral to a specialist palliative care service
Specialist palliative care services offer telephone advice, a single assessment visit or a period of specialist care according to need.
Specialist palliative care is available to patients in any care setting; home, hospital or care home.
Referral can be made for a patient who has any advanced, progressive or incurable illness, who has
- complex end of life care needs.
- uncontrolled pain or other symptoms.
- complex physical, psychological, spiritual or family needs that cannot be met by the existing care team
Hospice inpatient units:
Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh
St Columba's Hospice, Edinburgh
Community palliative care services:
Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh: community team
St Columba's Hospice, Edinburgh: community team
West Lothian community palliative care team
East Lothian community palliative care team
Hospital palliative care teams:
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
St John's Hospital, Livingston
Palliative care day services:
Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh: day unit
St Columba's Hospice, Edinburgh: day hospice
The Macmillan Centre: West Lothian
- Pharmacy specialist services
- Lymphoedema services
- Paediatric Palliative Care
Further Information