End-of-life care

At the end of life, it is important that individuals and their families receive the right care and support to help them through this difficult time.

We are committed to ensuring that people are treated with dignity and respect, receive high-quality care, and - where possible - are supported in their preferred place of care.

For more information, visit the NHS website or Palliative and End of Life Care - South East London ICS.

What is end-of-life care?

End-of-life care is provided when someone is approaching the last months, weeks, or days of their life. The focus is on:

comfort and dignity - ensuring the person is pain-free and comfortable
specialist medical support - managing symptoms and providing palliative treatments
emotional and psychological care - offering support for the person and their loved ones
choice of where to receive care - at home, in a care home, hospice, or hospital
the goal is to help individuals live as well as possible until they pass away, ensuring their wishes and preferences are respected
tip: discussing end-of-life wishes early can help ensure the right care is provided in line with personal preferences

Who is end-of-life care for?

End-of-life care (also known as palliative care or specialist palliative care) is for anyone with an advanced progressive illness, such as:

cancer
heart disease
lung conditions (for example, COPD)
neurological conditions (for example, Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease)
any other life-limiting illness including dementia

This type of care focuses on managing pain and symptoms while offering psychological, social, and spiritual support to ensure the best possible quality of life for individuals and their families.

Where can end-of-life care be provided?

At home

If the person wishes to remain at home, support is provided by:

community palliative care teams (specialist nurses & carers)
GP & district nurses for medical support
hospice at home services to provide pain relief and comfort care

In a care home or nursing home

If the person lives in a care home or needs more support than can be provided at home: staff are trained in palliative and end-of-life care to provide comfort and dignity

Hospice care

A hospice is a specialist centre offering expert palliative care, emotional support, and holistic therapies in a peaceful setting.

In hospital

If symptoms need specialist medical care, end-of-life services are available within hospitals, including palliative care teams.

What support is available?

End-of-life care includes:

managing pain and symptoms to ensure comfort
support adjusting to a palliative diagnosis
information and guidance to help individuals make informed decisions about their care
financial advice (including benefits and assistance with care costs)
emotional and spiritual support for individuals and their loved ones
bereavement and aftercare support

Care is provided by GPs, nurses, support workers, social workers, therapists, and specialist palliative care teams.

How do I arrange end-of-life care?

If you or a loved one need end-of-life care, speak to:

your GP or hospital team - they will refer you to palliative care services
Adult Social Care - for help with home support or care home placements
hospice services - if hospice care is preferred

How much does it cost?

Some services are free through the NHS and the Council.

If you have been assessed by a healthcare professional, your care costs may be fully covered by the NHS in the last days of life. Do you want to give a link to CHC.

For more information on funding and assessments, please speak with your GP or care team.

End-of-life care providers in Lewisham

St Christopher’s Hospice

St Christopher’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for all residents in Lewisham or those registered with a Lewisham GP. They offer:

community-based care in people's homes
inpatient hospice care
day centre and outpatient care
support for families and carers
bereavement support

Address: Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham, SE26 6DZ, phone: 020 8768 4500, email: info@stchristophers.org.uk.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie aims to provide high quality, well coordinated, flexible and response palliative nursing care and advice in the community as planned care or short notice rapid response to support people in the last days of their life to die in their own home.

Marie Curie can be accessed via a referral from a Specialist Palliative Care Team, GP or Community Nurse.

Phone: London 020 3370 2208.

Bereavement and grief support in Lewisham

Losing a loved one can be overwhelming. There are services available in Lewisham to support people through grief and bereavement.

St Christopher’s Bereavement Service

St Christopher’s Hospice offers a bereavement service for families, including:

one-to-one counselling
group therapy sessions
children and young people’s bereavement support

Phone: 020 8768 4500.

Cruse Bereavement Support (Lewisham & SE London)

Cruse Bereavement Support provides:

emotional support for those struggling with loss
helpline and one-to-one bereavement counselling
support for children and young people

Phone: 0808 808 1677 (National Helpline), email: helpline@cruse.org.uk.

Lewisham Mindful Mums (Bereavement Support for Mothers)

Support for mothers struggling with grief or loss. Offers emotional support and peer groups.

Phone: 020 3228 5969, email: mindfulmums@blgmind.org.uk.

The Good Grief Trust

The Good Grief Trust practical advice and emotional support for anyone grieving, including those who have lost someone suddenly.

Planning ahead - making your wishes known

Advance Care Planning (ACP) helps individuals make decisions about their future care and ensures their wishes are respected. This includes:

advance decision to refuse treatment (ADRT) - allows individuals to refuse specific medical treatments if they lose capacity to decide in the future
lasting power of attorney (LPA) - appointing someone to make healthcare and financial decisions on your behalf
do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) Orders - a decision not to receive CPR if the heart stops

For help with advance care planning, speak to your GP, social worker, or care provider.

Practical guides and support after bereavement

Registering a death

After someone passes away, their death must be registered within five days at the Lewisham Register Office.

Address: Lewisham Register Office, Civic Suite, Catford Road, SE6 4RU. Phone: 020 8314 9524.

Arranging a funeral

Funeral arrangements can be made through:

local funeral directors
St Christopher’s Hospice bereavement service
our public health funeral service for those who have no family to arrange a funeral: phone: 020 8314 9534

Financial support after a bereavement

You may be eligible for financial support, such as:

bereavement support payment (for spouses and civil partners)
funeral expenses payment (if you receive benefits)
council tax reduction (for those affected by bereavement)

Support for children and young people

Children and young people who lose a parent or loved one may need additional support. Services include:

Child Bereavement UK - free support for grieving children, phone: 0800 02 888 40
Winston’s Wish - helping children through grief, phone: 08088 020 021

Give us your feedback

We're always keen to hear from individuals, carers, and families about their experiences with end-of-life care in Lewisham.

If you'd like to share your story, please contact us at: endoflife@lewisham.gov.uk.

Published on: 13/06/2025