What is the Community Service?

Our Community Service is dedicated to providing compassionate care to patients and their loved ones in the comfort of their own homes. 

We are committed to delivering high quality, community based palliative and end-of-life care across Heywood, Middleton, and Borough of Rochdale. Our focus is on enhancing quality of life and promoting physical, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing for individuals thought to be in the last 12 months of life. 

Who delivers the service?

  • Our service is delivered by a skilled, experienced multidisciplinary team working collaboratively to meet the needs of patients and their carers, providing personalised, holistic care.
  • Each patient is allocated a named Specialist Palliative Care Nurse (SPCN) who will review them regularly, with visit frequency based on clinical need.
  • If urgent input is required and the allocated SPCN is unavailable, another clinician from the team may provide support.
  • The Community Service is clinically led by an experienced Specialist Palliative Care Doctor.
  • Ad Hoc medical outpatient appointments or home visits with the doctor can be arranged via the patientā€™s GP, hospital specialist team, or SPCN when specific clinical needs cannot be met by the SPCN. These appointments are planned in advance, subject to availability, and may not be available at short notice.

What services are offered in the community?

SPCNā€™s

The nurses offer specialist support for patients with advanced life limiting diseases and work closely with the patientā€™s GP and primary care team by; 

  • Supporting the patient in their preferred place of care. 
  • Offering advice and support to the loved ones in relation to the patientā€™s illness. 
  • Advising and supporting on complex symptom management issues. 
  • Our Specialist Nursing Team provide support 7 days a week between 8am ā€“ 8pm weekdays and 8am ā€“ 4pm on weekends and bank holidays. 

Counselling and Spiritual Care

Psychological, emotional and spiritual support is available to patients and their loved ones from the Psychological and Supportive Care Team.

Face to face, telephone and video sessions are available. We also offer home visits for patients who are house bound.

For further information please contact
our Community Liaison Team on
01706 752360,
Monday-Friday 8am-4pm.

Dementia Care

The nurses offer specialist support for patients with advanced life limiting diseases and work closely with the patient’s GP and primary care team by; 

  • Supporting the patient in their preferred place of care. 
  • Offering advice and support to the loved ones in relation to the patient’s illness. 
  • Advising and supporting on symptom management issues. 
  • Our Specialist Nursing Team provide support 7 days a week between 8am – 8pm weekdays and 8am – 4pm on weekends and bank holidays. 

Night Sitting Service

Our skilled care staff are available to provide overnight support, offering loved ones the opportunity for respite and rest. This helps ensure that patients can remain in their preferred place of care, surrounded by the comfort and familiarity of their own home. 

For further information please contact our Community Liaison Team on 01706 752360, Monday-Friday 8am-4pm. 

24 Hour Advice Line

We offer 24-hour advice to support healthcare professionals, patients and their loved ones. Our dedicated Advice Line connects you directly with a qualified and experienced member of our nursing team, who can provide guidance, information, and reassurance at any time of the day or night.  

Our Advice Line number is: 01706 653555 

Occupational Therapist

How an Occupational Therapist can help you

An Occupational Therapist (OT) supports you to live as well as possible with a lifeā€‘limiting illness. Their focus is on helping you stay independent, comfortable, and able to take part in the activities that matter most to you.

Supporting your dayā€‘toā€‘day life

An OT can help you continue everyday activities such as:

  • Washing and dressing
  • Cooking and eating
  • Moving around your home
  • Enjoying hobbies and interests

They work with you to find easier, safer ways to do these things for as long as possible.

Managing symptoms

Occupational Therapists can help you manage symptoms such as:

  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Breathlessness
  • Pain
  • Anxiety or low mood

They can teach practical strategies, such as pacing activities, conserving energy, and using breathing or relaxation techniques.

Equipment and home adaptations

An OT can assess your home and suggest changes to make things safer and more comfortable. This may include:

  • Equipment such as grab rails, bathroom equipment or wheelchairsĀ 
  • Simple home adaptations like ramps or changes to bathroom layout

These supports can make daily life easier and reduce the risk of falls or discomfort.

Emotional and practical support

Occupational Therapists also offer emotional support, helping you adjust to changes, maintain a sense of control, and focus on what is meaningful to you. They can support both you and those close to you to find practical solutions together.