Palliative Care Unit treats 400 patients a year

THE Palliative Care Unit of the Hospital of Denia treats more than 400 patients a year.

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illnesses, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain.

It deals with the physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual issues. Many patients receive care at home while others may be treated in hospital. In 2014 the unit treated 400 patients, with 36 per cent of those patients being treated in their own homes. Dr Xaro Baydal has stressed that there are two key moments in a person’s life, birth and death and that the hospital is dedicated to providing the same excellent care at both stages, by ensuring that their professionals are fully qualified in the relevant areas and can approach patients from a clinical and human point of view.

Both patients and relatives as well as health care professionals receive care from the psychological unit at the hospital, a vital part of the health department. For the patients it provides them many things and importantly with support and dignity. The Palliative Care Unit and home care unit of Marina Salud in Denia, along with the hospital in Alcoy has been distinguished and honoured countless times for its quality and comprehensive patient care.