“Not to add days to life, but to add life to days”

Cicely Saunders, founder of the hospice movement

Guided by this mission statement, our palliative care consultation service cares for critically ill patients who are being treated in one of the University Hospital’s departments but are not admitted to a palliative care unit.

Above all, we care for patients with a terminal illness who are suffering from severe symptoms. These symptoms may include pain, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, digestive problems, weakness, difficulties with home care, anxiety, and more.

The palliative care consultation service operates as a multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians and nurses, social workers, physical therapists, psychologists, chaplains, and dietitians. Additional professionals can be consulted as needed.

All physicians and nurses have specialized training and additional qualifications in palliative care.

Our consultation service is requested by the treating ward and then provides expert advice on palliative care, pain management, symptom control, and psychosocial support.

Our goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life, provide rapid relief from distressing symptoms, and facilitate the patient’s discharge back to their familiar surroundings.

The team includes (from left to right):

• Mareen Wieland (LKL Lostau)
• Dr. Giselher Pfau (Department of Anesthesiology)
• Daniela Wendland (palliative care nurse)
• PD Dr. Michael Brinkers (Department of Anesthesiology)
• Nadine Schröder (palliative care nurse)
• Dr. Stefan Zacharias (LKL Lostau)
• Dr. Jana Bergner (Department of Anesthesiology)
• Dr. Eva Lücke (Department of Pulmonology)
• Dr. Sigrun Ludwig (Department of Anesthesiology)

Contact

Consultation: Medico – Palliative Care Service

Pager: 802-600 on weekdays 7:00 AM–3:30 PM

Email: palliativmedizin@med.ovgu.de