Palliative Care at Home in Brighton

42 CQC-registered home care agencies in Brighton. Compare ratings, read verified reviews and book care directly — free for families, no account needed.

Palliative Care at Home in Brighton

Palliative care at home means specialist support for someone living with a serious, life-limiting illness — managing pain, symptoms, and practical needs so they can remain in their own home for as long as they choose. In Brighton and Hove, that care is most meaningful when it works closely with the teams already involved: district nurses, specialist palliative care nurses, and the consultants at Royal Sussex County Hospital. Home-based palliative care is not simply a matter of personal care visits. It involves co-ordinating medication management, monitoring changing symptoms, providing hands-on support with washing, dressing, and eating, and being present in ways that keep a person comfortable and in control. For families, it also means having someone reliable to call when something changes overnight or at the weekend. The agencies on CareAH that specialise in this area are CQC-registered and experienced in working alongside NHS and hospice teams rather than in isolation from them [4]. This matters in palliative care more than almost anywhere else, because the plan of care can change quickly and the people delivering it need to understand why. Brighton and Hove has a relatively concentrated set of services — hospice, district nursing, and hospital specialist palliative care teams — and a good home care agency will already have working relationships with them. If your relative has said they want to die at home, or if being at home is simply where they are most themselves, the practical question is how to put the right support in place quickly, without having to start from scratch every time something changes.

The local picture in Brighton

Most people receiving palliative care at home in Brighton and Hove will have been seen at Royal Sussex County Hospital, managed by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. When someone with a life-limiting illness is in hospital and the clinical team believes they are well enough to leave, discharge planning should begin within 24 to 48 hours of that decision [8]. For palliative patients, this typically follows one of several NHS discharge pathways. Pathway 1 covers people who can return home with some community support in place. Pathway 2 applies where more complex needs require a period of care in a community or rehabilitation setting before returning home. Pathway 3 is for those who need longer-term inpatient care. Many families in Brighton will find their relative is discharged on Pathway 1, with support co-ordinated through the district nursing team and, where eligible, the specialist palliative care community nurses. The Discharge to Assess model means that a full assessment of long-term care needs may happen after the person has returned home rather than during the hospital stay — so it is important to start thinking about home care provision before or at the point of discharge, not after. NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the funding route for people whose primary need is a health need rather than a social care need [2][3]. A palliative diagnosis does not automatically trigger CHC, but it does trigger the right to a fast-track assessment if the clinical team judges that the person has a rapidly deteriorating condition and may be entering the final phase of life. University Hospitals Sussex and Brighton and Hove's community health teams can initiate a fast-track CHC referral directly. Brighton and Hove City Council is the relevant local authority for social care assessments for those who are not CHC-eligible.

What good looks like

Palliative care at home varies significantly between agencies, and the differences matter. Here are the practical signals worth looking for:

  • Experience with end-of-life care specifically. Not all home care agencies have carers who have worked in palliative settings. Ask directly what proportion of their current clients have a palliative or end-of-life care plan, and whether their staff have completed specific training such as the Care Certificate modules on end-of-life care or the Gold Standards Framework.
  • Availability around the clock. Symptoms can deteriorate at any time. Ask whether the agency provides 24-hour on-call support and how quickly a carer can be at the home if something changes.
  • Communication with NHS and hospice teams. A good agency will actively share information with district nurses and specialist palliative care nurses rather than operating in a separate silo. Ask how they handle handover when the district nurse visits.
  • Continuity of carers. A consistent small team matters enormously in palliative care. Ask how the rota is managed and how often your relative would see a new face.
  • Medication support. Ask whether carers can prompt or administer medication, and whether the agency has experience with anticipatory medicines and syringe drivers alongside district nursing teams.
  • CQC registration. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, it is a criminal offence to provide regulated personal care in England without being registered with the Care Quality Commission [6]. Every agency listed on CareAH is CQC-registered [4]. An unregistered provider is operating illegally, and you would have no regulatory recourse if something went wrong.

Check the agency's most recent CQC inspection report on the CQC website before making a decision [4].

Funding palliative care in Brighton

Funding for palliative home care in Brighton and Hove comes from several sources, and in many cases more than one applies at the same time.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC): If your relative's primary need is a health need, they may be entitled to NHS-funded care at no cost to them or the family [2][3]. In palliative cases, a fast-track CHC assessment can be arranged by the clinical team at Royal Sussex County Hospital or through community health services. The standard financial means-test does not apply to CHC — it is based on need, not income. For free, independent advice on the CHC process, Beacon runs a national helpline [10].

Local authority funding: For those not eligible for CHC, Brighton and Hove City Council has a duty under the Care Act 2014 to carry out a needs assessment [5]. If eligible for funded support, a financial assessment follows. The current capital thresholds are: above £23,250, you meet the full cost; between £14,250 and £23,250, you contribute partially; below £14,250, the council funds the assessed need [1]. For a needs assessment, search 'Brighton and Hove City Council adult social care' for current contact details and opening hours.

Direct Payments: If your relative is assessed as eligible for council-funded care, they can choose to receive a Direct Payment and arrange their own care [9]. This gives more control over which agency is used and when visits happen.

Self-funding: Families funding privately can use CareAH to compare domiciliary care agencies in Brighton directly.

Questions to ask before you commit

  • 1.What proportion of your current clients have a palliative or end-of-life care plan?
  • 2.Do your carers have specific training in end-of-life care, such as the Gold Standards Framework?
  • 3.How do you communicate with the district nursing or specialist palliative care team between visits?
  • 4.How many different carers would regularly visit my relative, and how is the rota managed?
  • 5.Can carers prompt or administer medication, and are they experienced with anticipatory medicines?
  • 6.What is your process if a carer is present and my relative's condition deteriorates suddenly?
  • 7.Can you increase the number of visits or move to live-in care quickly if needs change?

CQC-registered home care agencies in Brighton

When comparing palliative care agencies in Brighton, look beyond the headline rating. An agency's CQC inspection report will tell you whether end-of-life care was specifically reviewed and what inspectors found [4]. Pay attention to whether the agency has experience co-ordinating with district nursing teams and hospice services, since palliative home care is rarely delivered in isolation from NHS support. Ask each agency about carer continuity — in palliative care, familiarity between a carer and the person they support is not a luxury. Check whether they offer 24-hour on-call cover and how quickly they can respond if something changes outside office hours. If your relative is likely to need care for weeks rather than months, prioritise agencies that can scale up provision quickly and have handled end-of-life care regularly. If your relative is NHS Continuing Healthcare-funded, confirm that the agency is approved to work with CHC-commissioned packages. CareAH lists CQC-registered domiciliary care agencies near me and allows you to filter by specialism to identify those with palliative care experience.

Frequently asked questions

Can my relative receive palliative care at home rather than in a hospice?

Yes. Many people with life-limiting illnesses choose to remain at home, and this is possible with the right package of support in place. Home-based palliative care can include regular carer visits, district nursing, and specialist input. The practicality depends on the level of need, the home environment, and whether family members are also involved in providing support. A GP or specialist palliative care nurse can advise on whether home-based care is clinically appropriate for your relative's situation.

What is a fast-track NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment and who can trigger it?

A fast-track CHC assessment is for people with a rapidly deteriorating condition who may be approaching the end of life. It bypasses the standard multi-stage process and can result in a funding decision within 48 hours. Any clinician involved in your relative's care — including hospital consultants, GPs, and specialist palliative care nurses — can initiate a fast-track referral. The assessment is based on clinical need, not financial means [2][3]. Beacon offers free independent guidance on the process [10].

What happens to home care support if my relative is admitted to Royal Sussex County Hospital?

Care arrangements are paused during a hospital admission, but planning for discharge should start early. The hospital's discharge team, working under University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, should involve social care and community nursing in planning the return home [8]. If your relative is on a fast-track CHC package, this should transfer to the community team. Contact the ward's social worker or discharge co-ordinator as soon as possible to ensure a care package is ready for when your relative leaves hospital.

How many visits per day might someone with palliative needs require?

This depends on the individual's condition and what family members are able to provide. Some people in the earlier stages of a life-limiting illness may need one or two visits a day for personal care. In the final weeks, needs often increase significantly — sometimes to four or more visits, or 24-hour live-in care. Needs change, so a good agency should be willing to review and increase the package quickly. The district nursing team will continue to manage clinical care alongside any home care visits.

Can a home care agency support someone who has a syringe driver in place?

Syringe drivers — used to deliver continuous pain and symptom-control medication — are set up and managed by district nurses or specialist palliative care nurses, not home care workers. However, a home care agency can support someone who has one in place: carers can provide personal care, observe for signs of discomfort, and contact the district nursing team if anything seems wrong. Ask any agency whether their carers have experience working alongside district nurses in this situation.

What should I do if my relative's condition deteriorates suddenly at home?

If there is an immediate medical emergency, call 999. For non-emergency deterioration in a palliative patient, the district nursing team or specialist palliative care out-of-hours service should be the first call — not A&E, unless the clinical situation requires it. Your relative's GP should have an anticipatory care plan in place. Ask the agency whether they have a 24-hour contact number and what their protocol is if a carer is present when a deterioration occurs. Having this plan written down before it is needed matters.

Can I use a Direct Payment to fund palliative home care in Brighton?

Yes, if Brighton and Hove City Council has assessed your relative as eligible for funded social care support, they can choose to receive a Direct Payment rather than council-arranged care [9]. This allows the family to select and pay an agency directly, which can give more flexibility over timing and which agency is used. The council will still need to be satisfied that the chosen agency is CQC-registered and that the care plan is being followed. A needs assessment under the Care Act 2014 is the starting point [5].

Is CQC registration legally required for a home care agency?

Yes. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, any provider delivering regulated personal care in England — including home care — must be registered with the Care Quality Commission [6]. Operating without registration is a criminal offence. You can check whether an agency is registered, and read its most recent inspection report and rating, on the CQC website at no cost [4]. Every agency listed on CareAH is CQC-registered. If you are ever approached by an unregistered provider, do not use them — you would have no regulatory recourse if care fell below an acceptable standard.

Sources

  1. [1]GOV.UK — Social care charging 2026 to 2027
  2. [2]GOV.UK — National framework for NHS continuing healthcare
  3. [3]NHS England — NHS Continuing Healthcare
  4. [4]Care Quality Commission
  5. [5]Care Act 2014 (legislation.gov.uk)
  6. [6]Health and Social Care Act 2008 (legislation.gov.uk)
  7. [8]NHS — Leaving hospital after being an inpatient
  8. [9]GOV.UK — Apply for direct payments
  9. [10]Beacon — Free NHS Continuing Healthcare advice

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Page guidance last updated May 2026. Funding figures and council details may change — always check current information at the official source.