Information
The multi-disciplinary team deliver services to maximise potential wellbeing and quality of life for patients and their families
- Promotes independence, shares self-management skills and coping strategies
- Enables greater control and empowerment in decision making
- Informs, advises and supports with Future Planning
- Supports people to identify and continue doing what matters most to them
- Facilitates peer and professional support
- Hybrid offering of face to face and online sessions delivered across Edinburgh and West Lothian.
- Fatigue, Anxiousness & Breathlessness (FAB) programme – for patients with a terminal illness who are experiencing symptoms of Fatigue, Anxiety and/or Breathlessness. The programme has been designed to facilitate the sharing and learning of skills and strategies which can lead to a greater sense of self-empowerment, confidence and quality of life whilst recognising the possibility of adjusting to changes in function. The aim is to adopt a holistic and person-centred approach, focusing on the person’s individual goals – rather than their condition – to enhance their own coping strategies, self-confidence and control of their life.
All referrals are via the Single Point of Access team which is the route of access for all clinical services.
Who can refer:
Any healthcare professional can refer although we request that the patient’s own GP is aware of the referral
Who to refer:
Patients (over 16 years, their families, and informal carers) with complex problems associated with active advanced and progressive illness, irrespective of underlying diagnosis.
‘Complex problems’ are defined as those which are: severe and unable to be managed by current care team or setting. Please consider early contact with the team if you have any questions regarding referral.
Who not to refer:
People who do not have specialist palliative care needs
People who do not have a life limiting illness.
Please Contact SPOA for advice if unsure.
How to refer:
Referrals accepted via SCI Gateway (TBA) or can be sent on a hospice referral form and emailed to: ci.mche.admin@nhs.scot
You can also phone the Single Point of Access Team: 0131 470 2253
A phone call is often helpful to highlight urgent needs and to provide background.
The team is available Mon- Friday 9am-5pm (except Bank Holidays).
All new referrals are responded to within 7 working days; urgent referrals within 2 working days – Calls for patients already known are responded to by the SPOA Team on the same day or can be scheduled for contact by community team that know them the next day.
For professional advice on patients known Marie Curie or within the Hospice catchment area:
Monday-Friday 08.30 to 16.30 (Except bank holidays), please phone the Single Point of Access Team on 0131 470 2253
For professional advice out with the above hours, lease contact the 1st on call palliative care doctor who can be accessed via hospital switchboard on 0131 536 1000
For syringe driver medicines compatibilities please check Syringe pump / driver compatibles | Right Decisions initially.
Advice on compatibilities not listed in Right Decisions can be obtained by contacting the hospice Single Point of Access Team.
Further links to useful clinical information can be found in the Resources Tab on this page
