Death is a natural part of life, something we will all experience, though in many different ways. Despite this, conversations about death and dying can often feel uncomfortable or are avoided altogether. Planning ahead and understanding what support is available can make a significant difference for individuals and families.
This website page aims to connect you with both local and national resources to help you navigate the journey from living with a life-limiting illness through to bereavement support. Whether you’re looking for information on symptom management, emotional support, or practical help after someone dies, you’ll find guidance here.
Adult Palliative End of Life Care Services in Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes and how to access them.
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What Is Palliative Care?
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is a holistic approach to supporting people with a terminal or life-limiting illness. It focuses on improving quality of life rather than trying to cure the illness. Key elements of palliative care include:
- Managing symptoms such as pain or breathlessness
- Providing emotional, psychological, and spiritual support
- Offering practical help, including future planning and access to equipment
- Supporting individuals and their families throughout the illness
Palliative care is about treating the person as a whole, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, to help them live as well as possible.
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Is Palliative Care the Same as End-of-Life Care?
Is Palliative Care the Same as End-of-Life Care?
While end of life care is a part of palliative care, the two are not the same.
Palliative care can begin at any stage of a terminal illness and may continue for months or even years. It does not necessarily mean someone is close to death.
End of life care refers specifically to the care provided to people who are nearing the final stages of life, typically considered to be within the last year. The focus is on making someone as comfortable and supported as possible in the time they have left.
In Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes (BLMK), palliative and end of life care is delivered through strong partnership working. Three hospices, two hospitals, four local authorities, and a wide range of community providers all play a vital role in supporting individuals and their families across the system
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Getting Support: How to Access Care
Getting Support: How to Access Care
If you or a loved one needs palliative or end of life care, your local hospice is a great place to start.
Many people think hospices are only for those who are very close to the end of life, but that’s a common myth. In reality, hospices offer a wide range of support for people at different stages of illness, and for their families too.
They can help guide you through the local care options and often help with making referrals or connecting you to the right services. Hospices work closely with GPs and are a trusted first point of contact when you need advice, information, or support.
There are three hospices in Bedfordshire. You’ll find their contact details here, don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Hospice Care
Hospice Care
There are three hospices serving the local area, each providing specialist care, information, and support for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
These hospices offer:
- Expert palliative and end of life care
- Emotional and practical support for patients and their loved ones
- Bereavement support for families and carers
Hospice teams work closely with GPs, hospitals, community nurses, and social workers to ensure that care is well-coordinated, person-centred, and responsive at every stage.
A significant portion of their funding comes from fundraising efforts. While they support everyone with palliative care needs, their expertise lies in providing specialist care at the end of life
Sue Ryder St Johns Hospice Bedford MK44 3RJ Moggerhanger Bedfordshire
24-hour healthcare support and advice line: - 01767641349
Hospice Reception: - 01767642410
How to Refer Ask your health care professional to use the following link: - https://www.sueryder.org/documents/19/Sue-Ryder-St-Johns-Hospice-referral-form-July-2024.docx and email stjohns.ipu@nhs.net or alternatively they can send a task through their computer systems
Keech Hospice Care Bedford Great Bramingham Lane, Luton LU33NT https://keech.org.uk/
Hospice Reception: - 01582 492339
24-hour healthcare support and advice line: - 0808 180 7788.
Email: - info@keech.org.uk
Willen Hospice Milton Keynes Willen Hospice | Compassionate Care for the Community
Hospice Reception: - 01908 663636
24-hour healthcare support and advice line: - 01908 306 962
Email: - info@willen-hospice.org.uk
Directions: - https://willen-hospice.org.uk/contact-us/#directions
How to Self-Refer: - use link https://willen-hospice.org.uk/refer/
Hospital Care
There are 2 hospitals in Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes
Hospitals are essential in Palliative and End of Life Care (PEoLC) for managing complex cases providing vital care for those whose needs can’t be met at home or in hospice.
The Hospital Palliative Care team provides expert advice and support those in the last few days and those looking after them in the hospital
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (incorporating Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Palliative-End-of-Life-Care-at-MKUH-1.pdf
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Hospital Care
Hospital Care
There are 2 hospitals in Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes
Hospitals are essential in Palliative and End of Life Care (PEoLC) for managing complex cases providing vital care for those whose needs can’t be met at home or in hospice.
The Hospital Palliative Care team provides expert advice and support those in the last few days and those looking after them in the hospital
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (incorporating Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Palliative-End-of-Life-Care-at-MKUH-1.pdf
East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) (North Bedfordshire) :-
https://www.elft.nhs.uk/services/bedfordshire-specialist-palliative-care
Cambridge Community Services NHS Trust (South Bedfordshire and Luton)
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (Milton Keynes)
Local Authorities/ City Council
There are 4 local Authorities/ City Councils in BLMK
Their websites will give guidance on when, how and where you can register a death, the role of a coroner and some guidance on burials. They will also provide a source of support for those who are caring for someone who has a life limiting illness.
Milton Keynes City Council
https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/death-registration
https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/adult-social-care/adult-social-care-directory/carers-mk
From 1st May 2025, a new way of delivering carer support in Milton Keynes will begin.
This new model brings together a group of organisations working in partnership to offer carers the help they need, whether it’s information, advice, emotional support, or practical guidance.
This approach has been shaped by carers themselves, through two years of listening and co-design. Carers have shared what works, what doesn’t, and what would help them feel better supported in their vital role
https://support.mobiliseonline.co.uk/milton-keynes
Bedford Borough Council:-
https://www.bedford.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/deaths/register-death
https://www.bedford.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/adult-social-care/caring-someone/support-carers
Central Bedfordshire Council
https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/49/registration_services/484/register_a_death
https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/18/health_and_social_care/313/support_for_carers/7
Luton City Council
https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/Show/Community_and_living/register-office/deaths/Pages/default.aspx
End of Life Care Medicine Services
BLMK ICB commissions the End of Life Medicines Service from selected community pharmacies across the county. This service aims to ensure that patients receiving palliative care in the community have access to specialised drugs when these are required in an emergency
Here is a list of pharmacies that participate in providing End of Life Care Medicines
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Community Nursing support for Palliative and End of Life Care Needs
Community Nursing support for Palliative and End of Life Care Needs
There are three community care providers who offer palliative and end of life care to people living in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes.
The type of care you or your loved one receives will depend on individual needs. Care may be provided by a range of professionals, including:
- District nurses
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Specialist palliative care teams
Support is available at home, and there is also a Rapid Response Team that can help with urgent issues during the day and night. This team can visit your home to give medicines and help manage symptoms like pain, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.
Referrals for care can be made by:
Your GP
Other healthcare professionals
Or via a palliative care hub which can be accessed through one of the three hospice providers which are based in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.
East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) (North Bedfordshire) :-
https://www.elft.nhs.uk/services/bedfordshire-specialist-palliative-care
Cambridge Community Services NHS Trust (South Bedfordshire and Luton)
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (Milton Keynes)
Local Authorities/ City Council
There are 4 local Authorities/ City Councils in BLMK
Their websites will give guidance on when, how and where you can register a death, the role of a coroner and some guidance on burials. They will also provide a source of support for those who are caring for someone who has a life limiting illness.
Milton Keynes City Council
https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/death-registration
https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/adult-social-care/adult-social-care-directory/carers-mk
From 1st May 2025, a new way of delivering carer support in Milton Keynes will begin.
This new model brings together a group of organisations working in partnership to offer carers the help they need, whether it’s information, advice, emotional support, or practical guidance.
This approach has been shaped by carers themselves, through two years of listening and co-design. Carers have shared what works, what doesn’t, and what would help them feel better supported in their vital role
https://support.mobiliseonline.co.uk/milton-keynes
Bedford Borough Council:-
https://www.bedford.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/deaths/register-death
https://www.bedford.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/adult-social-care/caring-someone/support-carers
Central Bedfordshire Council
https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/49/registration_services/484/register_a_death
https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/18/health_and_social_care/313/support_for_carers/7
Luton City Council
https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/Show/Community_and_living/register-office/deaths/Pages/default.aspx
End of Life Care Medicine Services
BLMK ICB commissions the End of Life Medicines Service from selected community pharmacies across the county. This service aims to ensure that patients receiving palliative care in the community have access to specialised drugs when these are required in an emergency
Here is a list of pharmacies that participate in providing End of Life Care Medicines