Ahead of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on 10 October, the National Health Service (NHS) reminds the public about the availability of state-funded palliative care services. Palliative care is a comprehensive approach to care that helps improve the daily lives of patients whose conditions can no longer be cured. Its primary focus is on relieving pain and other symptoms, as well as addressing social, psychological and spiritual needs to maintain the best possible quality of life, the NHS explains.
To improve access to palliative care, Latvia introduced state-funded palliative care services at patients' homes in 2024. Since the introduction of the service, a total of 5769 patients have received palliative care at home as of 1 July this year. Palliative care is also provided in hospitals. Nearly 2500 patients have already received state-funded inpatient palliative care this year, compared with 3416 patients throughout the whole of last year.
Palliative care is also coordinated by the patient's general practitioner (GP), who prescribes medication, including pain relief, when necessary, provides support within their professional competence, arranges home visits where required, and issues referrals for consultations with palliative care specialists.
GP home visits as part of palliative care may be provided to patients with malignant tumours, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, myelitis and encephalomyelitis, diseases of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis, diseases of the peripheral nervous system, myasthenia gravis (a condition causing skeletal muscle weakness), heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases, encephalitis, diseases of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, pressure ulcers and spinal cord injuries.
Palliative Care at Home
State-funded palliative care at home is available to eligible patients. There is no specific list of diagnoses restricting access to this service. A patient may be referred for palliative care at home following a decision by a medical council, to which the patient is referred by their GP or a medical specialist. If the patient is hospitalised, the medical council is organised by the healthcare institution.
If the medical council determines that palliative care at home is required, the GP or specialist issues a referral and registers the patient with the service provider's coordinator responsible for the relevant geographical area. The coordinator is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays. The service must begin no later than 24 hours after the patient has been registered. If the patient is in hospital, the service must begin within 24 hours of discharge.
Palliative care at home is an integrated, multidisciplinary, patient-centred service that provides medical, social and psychological support to patients and their families in their home environment.
The service includes:
- Development of an individual care plan;
- Visits by doctors and nurses;
- Provision of specialised transport;
- Assistive devices and equipment;
- Psychosocial rehabilitation;
- Social care;
- Support from a care coordinator.
According to the NHS, EUR 10.7 million has been allocated from the state budget for the provision of this service this year.
On average, EUR 3608 in state funding is allocated to the palliative care of one patient. Mobile palliative care teams provide services at patients' homes throughout Latvia, with four service providers operating nationwide.
Inpatient Palliative Care
Palliative care services are also available to patients in hospitals. These services are provided by hospitals of designated levels, as well as other hospitals under their nursing care and chronic patient care programmes.
Inpatient palliative care focuses on stabilising patients in serious conditions, relieving and managing symptoms, adjusting treatment and providing the necessary medical care.
A total of EUR 5.2 million in state funding has been planned for inpatient palliative care services this year. This exceeds the EUR 4.8 million actually spent over the 12 months of the previous year.
Where to Find More Information
Further information about state-funded palliative care, service providers and their contact details is available on the National Health Service website at www.vmnvd.gov.lv, in the Palliative Care section.
You can also contact the NHS Customer Service Centre:
Free information helpline: 80001234
Email: nvd@vmnvd.gov.lv