Hospice and palliative care
Palliative care helps people with an illness that cannot be cured to live as well as possible, managing pain and other symptoms and supporting the people around them. Hospices provide this care in a hospice building, in people's homes, or in the community.
How to get hospice care
- Ask a GP, hospital consultant or specialist nurse about a referral. Many hospices also accept calls from patients and families.
- Hospice care is usually free of charge. Hospices are often charities, partly funded by the NHS.
- Care can start well before the last days of life — it is not only for the very end.
- Many hospices also support family members and carers, including after a death.
Find help near you
Our directory shows only providers we have checked. We're still adding hospices, so if yours isn't listed, try the national finder below.
Palliative care guidance
More end-of-life resources · Caring for someone at end of life
Bereavement support
More bereavement and grief resources
Links to other organisations are for information only and are not an endorsement. This page is general information, not medical advice. If someone needs urgent medical help, call 999, or 111 for urgent advice.