It is available to you if you have specialist palliative care needs, live in the Mid-West area and your GP/Consultant/Specialist Palliative Care Nurse feels you would benefit from a joint review by a Specialist in Palliative Medicine and a palliative care nurse.
Occasionally, an OPD clinic appointment may be offered as an initial introduction to Specialist Palliative Care to help decide which component of the service we offer (e.g. Day Unit, Hospice at Home) best suits your current needs.
Is attending a Specialist Palliative Care Outpatients’ Clinic (OPD) available to me?
How do I access an OPD clinic?
When are the OPD clinics held?
Where are OPD clinics held?
Who will I meet at the OPD clinic?
What happens at the OPD clinic?
Do I have to pay to attend?
Is parking available nearby?
Is attending a Specialist Palliative Care Outpatients’ Clinic (OPD) available to me?
How do I access an OPD clinic?
Referrals to the OPD clinic are made by GPs, Consultant Doctors (using the Specialist Palliative Care referral form), or Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialists. An appointment will be sent to you by post by the medical secretary coordinating the clinics who will also be happy to deal with queries you may have about your attendance.
When are the OPD clinics held?
The clinics are held weekly.
Where are OPD clinics held?
The clinics are held in three locations each week:
• Milford Care Centre (adjacent to the Day Unit),
• University Hospital Limerick (Mid-West Cancer Centre at the back of the hospital)
• University Hospital Ennis (Outpatient Dept.) on Thursday afternoons
Who will I meet at the OPD clinic?
You will meet a Consultant or Specialist Registrar (University Hospital Limerick) in Palliative Medicine and a Palliative Care Nurse will also be present during the consultation.
On occasion a student doctor or nurse on a clinical placement as part of their training may be present, but only if you are agreeable this.
What happens at the OPD clinic?
You will have an opportunity to discuss your concerns with the Doctor & Nurse and for the Doctor to review and examine you as necessary to help support you
Family members or a friend are welcome to accompany you, if you feel this would be of benefit.
It is helpful to bring a list of your current medication to the clinic.
Do I have to pay to attend?
No. Attendance is free of charge.
Is parking available nearby?
Milford Care Centre has large on-site car parks. If you have difficulty walking distances, we can provide you with a parking disk to use for spaces near the OPD. Please call to Main Reception to obtain this. UHL has parking adjacent to the Oncology Dept. at the rear of the hospital. There is limited car parking availability at Ennis Hospital, particularly at peak times of late morning /early afternoon.