Reasons for referral to a palliative nursing team.

Referral patterns to a palliative nursing team are examined within the context of the developing role of the service. Reasons for referral are identified and a checklist developed to encourage specificity in statement of need on referral. Comparison is made with the assessment of the Macmillan nurse on assessment. Use of the checklist encouraged greater awareness of need. There was no correlation between the referrers' perceived needs and the Macmillan nurses' assessments on visiting. The literature supports the need for more explicit referral criteria based on needs assessment. There are implications for greater awareness of roles, better communication regarding intervention, and organizational review.