The Specialist Social Care Team provides the Palliative Care Social Work service, which is part of Sunderland City Council Social Services Directorate Adult Services.
We provide services for adults who are resident within the City of Sunderland.
What do we do?
- Help patients and families affected by advanced illness
- Promote their independence and well being
- Work in partnership with patients, carers and with health care professionals at St Benedict’s and community services.
What kind of help can I expect?
- Advice and information
- Emotional support
- Financial assistance information, including help to complete application forms where appropriate
- Practical support at home – this might include regular daily or weekly home support to help with personal care and/or domestic tasks
- Respite / short break
- Help for carers
- Care Homes with personal care
- Care Homes with nursing care
- Adaptations to your home and equipment to promote your safety and independence
- Access to specialist assessments such as Community Occupational Therapy where appropriate
- Disabled Persons Car Parking Permit application forms
Will I be involved in planning my care?
The provision of support organised and/or funded by Sunderland City Council will be the result of an assessment of need. This is where a social worker or care manager discusses with you, and those involved in your care, the kind of help you require, and who will provide it. The details of the help being provided, or intended, will be set out in a letter that we call a care plan. Patients and carers will usually be given a copy of their care plan.
Can I make my own arrangements for help?
Patients and carers, if they wish, may choose to make their own arrangements for social care services, e.g. home care, respite care. We can provide support and information in arranging some services. Financial assistance may be available through the Sunderland City Council in some circumstances.
Will I have to pay for the help and advice I receive?
We do not make a charge for providing advice or for making an assessment of need resulting in a care plan. We do make a charge for some services. Your social worker or care manager will give you information with regard to any charge or financial assessment applicable to your care plan.
The Specialist Social Care Team are based at Monkwearmouth Hospital and can be contacted on 0191 569 9197 or by Fax 0191 516 9496.
Palliative Care Equipment
Equipment to help you at home (70.6 KB)