Marie Curie has published coronavirus guidance for health and social care professionals to continue caring and supporting people at the end of their lives during this crisis period.
The guidance has been collated to support health and social care professionals who are on the frontline of the pandemic and needing to adapt to daily changes in how to safely provide end of life care and support.
The information will be regularly updated to keep pace with the vast range of new clinical advice, guidance and resources published by a range of organisations including professional bodies and government agencies to guide professionals in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). The webpage includes guidance on managing the coronavirus in places of care and resources to support patients and carers.
Marie Curie has also responded to an increase in demand for its information and support line and has extended its service to seven days a week (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm). The support line offers clinical and practical information as well as emotional and bereavement support for anyone caring for someone at the end of life, including health and social care professionals. The service also includes the option to speak to an Information and Support Nurse between 10am – 4pm (Monday – Friday).
Morven Masterton, Head of Information and Support at Marie Curie said:
“As the coronavirus pandemic gains momentum and levels of uncertainty are felt by some health and social care professionals, we hope our expertise will offer guidance and confidence to those people to continue their crucial work in caring and supporting their patients and residents at the end of life.
“We have also responded to an increase in demand for our support line and extended the service to be available seven days a week. Health and social care professionals can call for any clinical or practical information as well as emotional support and reflective space if they need someone to talk to.
“The work of carers has often been undervalued and how they are responding in this pandemic highlights their critical role. Without them, we would be lost, and we need to give them all the help we can.”
The information on the Palliative Care Knowledge Zone includes the following:
- Coronavirus and end of life care resources for health care professionals
- Palliative and end of life care resources from Marie Curie
- Resources for managing coronavirus in places of care
- General coronavirus information for health and social care professionals
- Resources to help support patients and carers
