Palliative Care
During this precious time, we focus on comfort, dignity and making each day as peaceful as possible. At Canwick House, we provide gentle palliative care in a calm, caring environment where your loved one feels safe and families feel supported.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care focuses on comfort, dignity and quality of life when someone is approaching the end of their life. It eases discomfort and offers emotional support to help each day feel calm and familiar.
At Canwick House, this care is delivered in a gentle, homely environment, with care shaped around your loved one and their wishes. We work alongside specialist palliative nurses and local health teams, while keeping the atmosphere reassuring and unhurried.
We are present, attentive and supportive, both for your loved one in our care and for your family.
Who is it for?
Our palliative care is for people who are approaching the end of their life and need comfort, reassurance and gentle support in a calm, caring environment.
Families typically come to us when care at home becomes difficult to manage, when hospital visits feel disruptive, or when the focus shifts toward limiting discomfort and creating familiar, calm days.
We take time to understand what matters most to you and your loved one, and to talk through whether palliative care at Canwick House is right.
40 years
Caring for families through end-of-life
CQC Good
An independently rated standard of care
Specialist links
Working with palliative nurses and GPs
Our approach to care
Our care is centred on comfort, calm and dignity, creating a peaceful, reassuring environment where each person feels settled, cared for and never hurried.
A small, familiar team understand each person's wishes and preferences, working alongside specialist nurses and health teams to keep daily life as gentle and familiar as possible.
We stay attentive and present, responding quietly to changing needs and offering steady reassurance, and we support families to spend time together as they prefer.
How are you feeling?
It's okay not to have all the answers right now. Taking this step takes courage, and we'll walk through every question, every concern, and every worry with you. You don't have to figure this out alone.
The important questions
Our priority is keeping your loved one as comfortable as possible. We work closely with specialist palliative care nurses, GPs and the local community health team to ensure pain and symptoms are managed effectively and promptly. Our team are trained to recognise signs of discomfort and respond quickly, whether that's administering prescribed medication, adjusting positioning for comfort, or simply offering reassurance and a calm presence. Medication is reviewed regularly and adjusted as needed. For breakthrough pain or sudden changes, we can access support from palliative care specialists quickly. We also focus on non-medical comfort measures: a cool flannel, gentle repositioning, a quiet room, or simply sitting with someone. We keep families informed about symptom management and involve you in decisions about care, always respecting your loved one's wishes and dignity.
Yes, absolutely. We understand how important it is to be close to your loved one during this time, and we actively encourage families to spend as much time here as they wish, day or night. We have facilities for family members to stay overnight if they'd like to be nearby. We can provide a comfortable chair in your loved one's room, or arrange a separate space where you can rest whilst remaining close. Our team will bring you tea, coffee and light refreshments, and we'll make sure you're kept informed of any changes throughout the night. There's no visiting schedule during palliative care, you're welcome whenever you want to be here. Many families find comfort in being present, whilst others prefer to visit during the day and trust us to provide care overnight. Whatever feels right for you is absolutely fine.
As someone approaches their final days, we increase our presence and attention, checking in more frequently and ensuring they're never alone unless the family wishes to have private time together. We focus on maintaining comfort and dignity, keeping your loved one clean, comfortable and pain-free, speaking gently even if they can't respond, and creating a peaceful atmosphere in their room. We'll keep you informed of changes as they happen, so you can be here when it matters most. If you can't be present, we ensure someone from our team sits with your loved one so they're not alone. After death, we give you as much time as you need with your loved one in private. We'll handle all necessary arrangements with gentleness and respect, and support you through the practical steps that follow.
Funding for palliative care can come from several sources, and we'll help you navigate this at what's already a difficult time. Some people with complex palliative care needs may be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding, which covers the full cost of care. Your GP or hospital team can help with the assessment process for this. If NHS funding isn't available, palliative care is typically self-funded, with weekly fees starting from £1,200 depending on individual needs. Some local authorities may contribute to costs if your loved one meets certain criteria. The most important thing is ensuring your loved one is comfortable and well cared for during this precious time. We'll talk you through the costs openly and help you understand what financial support might be available.
