Services
The Department of Palliative medicine provides outpatient, inpatient and domiciliary services for patients with chronic progressive life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. Inpatient services include admissions under Palliative Medicine and consultation services for referrals from other departments. The department also provides hospice care for eligible patients at the Ida. B Scudder hospice. Palliative care services are provided by an interdisciplinary team consisting of doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologist and chaplain.
Outpatient Services
Department of Palliative Medicine provides outpatient services in CMC Town campus, Ranipet campus and Chittoor campus.Our outpatient clinic is run by a multidisciplinary team consisting of doctors, nurses, social worker, psychologist and chaplain. We provide active symptom management and supportive care to patients at various stages of life at palliative care clinic. Follow up is ensured by systematic appointment at regular intervals. We aim to improve quality of life and relieve suffering. Regular follow-up is ensured.
| Day | Town Campus (PCF Extension 1st Floor) | Ranipet Campus (A0002, Basement, Rooms 27-32) | Chittoor Campus (North OPD, Room 15) |
|---|---|---|---|
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Address: Christian Medical College Vellore, Ida Scudder Road,
Vellore-632004 Map: https://shorturl.at/44igJ |
Address: Christian Medical College Ranipet Campus, Kilminnal-632517 Map: https://shorturl.at/ASCAS |
Address: CMC Vellore Chittoor Campus, 190 Ramapuram Village, 189 Kothapalle
Post, Gudipala Mandal, Chittoor-517132 Map: https://shorturl.at/SwPKE |
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| Monday | General (Full day) Private: Dr. Jyothsna Kuriakose |
General (Full day) Private: Dr. Jewell Joseph |
- |
| Tuesday | General (Full day) Private: Dr. Jenifer Jeba S |
General (Full day) Private: Dr. Jyothsna Kuriakose |
General (Full day) |
| Wednesday | General (Afternoon) | General (Afternoon) Private: Dr. Jewell Joseph |
- |
| Thursday | General (Full day) Private: Dr. Jewell Joseph |
General (Full day) | - |
| Friday | General (Full day) Private: Dr. Jewell Joseph |
General (Full day) Private: Dr. Jenifer Jeba S |
- |
Inpatient Services
Inpatient care is provided for patients admitted for symptom control, end-of-life care, nursing care and any palliative interventions. We also teach and empower caregivers in the provision of care at home. The specialist palliative care team also provides inpatient consultation services for patients admitted under other departments.
Consultation Services
The Department of Palliative Medicine provides consultative services to various wards where patients requiring evaluation and management of distressing symptoms are being cared. We also assist in end of life care and bereavement support. The team consists of doctor, nurse and psychologist.
Palliative Nursing Services
Palliative care nurses focus on treating and implementing strategies to manage symptoms, take care of patients who are confined to bed and handle complex wounds. They also assist in end of life care. The nurses ensure that patients can receive the care they need in the comfort of their own homes, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits during their illness.
Psycho-oncology Services
A palliative care psychologist offers counseling to oncology patients and their families to help them cope with the psychological impact of a life-threatening illness. This service is available to both outpatients and inpatients, ensuring emotional support is accessible to all who need it.
Domiciliary Services
Patients seen by the specialist palliative care team living within 40- 50 kilometres from the
hospital are visited by the team at home on specified days of the week.
Team visit:
A team
consisting of specialist palliative care physician, nurse, social worker and chaplain
visits homes of patients who are unable to come to the hospital. The key goals are to reduce
suffering, and provide ongoing care wherever possible (pain & nursing care, spiritual
support, social support, bereavement support).
Nurse visit: Those patients
who are not ambulatory and bed bound for prolonged periods are requiring
nursing interventions are visited by the palliative care nurse.
Social worker's
visit:
Social worker and chaplain visits the families of patients and assesses the
support systems available for the patient.
Hospice
Ida B. Scudder Hospice, a 15-bed facility co-managed by CMC Vellore and the Sneha Deepam Society, a charitable organization, provides compassionate and comprehensive care for patients with life-threatening illnesses. Its services include symptom management, respite care, nursing care, and end-of-life care, with a focus on preserving dignity in both life and death.
Bereavement Services
The team maintains a continuity of care after death of the patient by providing bereavement support to relatives. In consultation with the family members, those who are at risk of developing prolonged grief disorder are identified, counselled by our psychologist and are guided to take professional help as required.
Spiritual Support Services
Any patient or family with spiritual distress especially nearing end of life are provided with spiritual support and services by the chaplain in the inpatient, outpatient, home and hospice settings.
Teleconsultation Services
Teleconsultation services are offered for both new and returning patients, ensuring accessible, timely, and high-quality medical care while adhering to institutional guidelines for safety, efficiency, and patient-centered support.
Social Care
Palliative care social worker helps in assessment of patients' socio-economic status and provides guidance for financial support through various schemes and procedures as appropriate. This is possible through the generous donations.