Sukoon Nilaya – Palliative Care Centre

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Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care designed for individuals living with serious illnesses. This care is provided by a team of specially trained doctors, nurses, and other professionals who collaborate with a patient’s existing medical team to offer an additional layer of support. This care is tailored to the patient’s needs, regardless of prognosis, and can be given at any age or stage of illness, alongside curative treatments. Its primary focus is to relieve symptoms and reduce the stress associated with the illness, aiming to enhance the quality of life for both the patient and their family.

Sukoon Nilaya, or “The Abode of Tranquility,” was established during the pandemic to offer specialized palliative care, particularly for non-cancer patients in the final stages of life. Situated on a serene 7-acre plot in Mahalaxmi and supported by the Cipla Foundation, the Centre is an extension of the King George V Memorial Trust’s mission.

The facility features a 23-bed ward staffed by a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, therapists, social worker, and ward boys offering comprehensive care focused on symptom management and psycho-social support. Sukoon Nilaya Palliative Care Centre also empowers patients and trains caregivers in practical home care skills.

Will you care to be my pal?

– Dr. Eric Borges

Will you walk this lonely road with me
As I struggle to face my destiny?
Can I hope you will come to my locale
Will you care to be my pal?

My body ravaged, my lungs all battered
The Corona Virus left me shattered
Gasping for breath as I say to my gal
“Will you care to be my pal?”

I try to speak but make guttural sounds
Keeping quiet frustrates and confounds
I thrash about —a wild sick horse in a corral
Will you care to be my pal?

I forget who I am, where I need to go,
I often get lost trying to go next door
I don’t want to become a chaparral
Will you care to be my pal?

My face and feet are swollen and I pee so little
They say my bones are so very brittle
Dialysis twice a week keeps up my morale
Will you care to be my pal?

Sukoon Nilaya this oasis of tranquility
Has been carefully infused with every facility
Compassionate care our guiding rationale,
Yes, we would love to be your pal!

Services Offered

Advisory Board

Team of Professionals

Facilities

Admission Criteria

Affliations

Enquiries

FAQ's

Services offered

Sukoon Nilaya Palliative Care Centre offers a comprehensive range of services designed to support patients with serious, chronic, life-limiting conditions and their caregivers. Here’s a concise summary of the services provided:

Patient Services:

Outpatient Department (OPD): Symptom and pain management.
Inpatient Department (IPD): Admission for intensive care, with caregiver training for home management.
Free Medicines and Assistive Devices: All necessary medications and devices are provided at no cost.
Therapies: Regular physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy as needed.
Multidisciplinary Care: Expertise in palliative care from a team of specialists.
Counseling: Support for both patients and family members.
Caregiver Training: Essential skills for family caregivers to manage care at home.

Post-Discharge Services:

Home Care: Continued support in the patient’s home.
Teleconsultation: Remote consultations for ongoing care.
Counseling: Continued support for patients and families.
Liaison with Treating Physician: Coordination with the patient's primary healthcare provider.
Assistive Devices: Provision of necessary devices if needed.

This holistic approach ensures that patients receive the comprehensive care they need while empowering caregivers with the skills and support to manage care at home.

Ms. Sonalini Mirchandani

A former civil servant, I have worked extensively in health communications and research across the subcontinent, and led the India Office as Country Director of the Johns Hopkins University Centre for Communication Programs for several years. I serve on the Advisory Board of leading donors such as the Mariwala Health Initiative and National and International Review Panels and NGOs such as Population Foundation of India and SNEHA, the International Polio Communication Review Panel of UNICEF, and others.

Dr. Mary Ann Muckaden

Professor - Department of Palliative Medicine, Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai (Grant-in-aid Institute under the Dept. of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India), Consultant - Mumbai Children's Palliative Care Project, Cipla Foundation & Shanthi Avedna Sadan Hospice, Past-Chairperson - International Children's Palliative Care Network
Past President - Indian Association of Palliative Care. She is responsible for clinical research, and administration of patient related activities.

Dr. Armida Fernandez

Retd Prof of Neonatology and Dean Sion hospital Mumbai. Founder Trustee of SNEHA and Romila palliative care.

Dr. Eric Borges

Hon. Chairman at the King George V Memorial Trust

Dr. Eric Borges is a Professor of Cardiology and Senior Cardiologist at the Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, Mumbai. A graduate of T N Medical College, he has been awarded 13 prizes and gold medals throughout his distinguished career. Dr. Borges also contributes to cardiology efforts in Mauritius and Tanzania through collaborations with the Bombay Hospital.

It was his conviction that Palliative Care for Non Cancer medical conditions was an immediate and necessary need of the evolving society that lead to the setting up of Sukoon Nilaya Palliative Care Centre for Non Cancer medical conditions by the KGVM Trust.

Dr. Leena V Gangolli

Director – Patient Care Ancillary Services, Medico-legal and Ethics

Dr. Leena V Gangolli, a distinguished Geriatric Palliative Care Physician holds an MBBS and degrees in Public Health from Tata Institute of Social Sciences and Harvard University, U.S.A., as well as Masters in Human Rights Law.

With extensive experience in health and human rights, she has worked with CEHAT, authored the “Review of Healthcare in India,” & chaired the Ethics Committee at Tata Memorial and KEM Hospitals. Dr. Gangolli serves on the National Task Force for Palliative Care and the Mah State Tech Adv Committee for Palliative & Geriatric Care.

Dr. Vijayshree Patil

Director - Therapeutic, Academics and Research

Dr. Vijayshree Patil, MD Anesthesia and Critical Care specialist is a consultant with various prestigious hospitals in Mumbai.

With extensive experience, including eight years at the Asian Cancer Institute, specialized training with WHO and St. Christopher's Hospice, Dr. Patil's has now fully dedicated herself to palliative care.

She provides support to underprivileged patients at Sukoon Nilaya Palliative Care Centre and Mangala Hospital.

The Ward

Patients and their family caregivers are provided with a safe, clean, and well-equipped ward that supports their recovery. This environment is designed to facilitate both medical care and training, ensuring a smooth transition to home care.

The toilets have been specially designed to accommodate patients with special needs, such as those using walkers or wheelchairs. They offer convenient access for both bathing and toileting, ensuring a comfortable and accessible experience.

Doctors

A compassionate team of doctors offers dedicated care and support to patients managing serious or chronic illnesses.

Nurses

A dedicated team of nursing staff monitors vital signs, administers medications, trains caregivers in feeding techniques, provides wound care, and assists caregivers in preparing semi-solid diets for dysphagia.

Therapists

Occupational Therapist
The Occupational Therapist works to enhance the patient’s strength, cognition, and functional independence, enabling them to perform daily activities more effectively.

Speech Therapist
The Speech Therapist assists in rehabilitating patients whose communication, cognition, and swallowing abilities have been affected by their medical condition.

Medical Social Worker

Our sensitive, compassionate, and empathetic medical social worker serves as a vital link between the clinical team and the patient and their family. They assess and address the evolving concerns of both patients and caregivers throughout the course of the illness.

This assessment covers an overview of the patient, his family and the socio-economic, psychological, psycho-social, spiritual and psychosexual needs before deciding on the interventions required and planning for the same.

Psychologist (Clinical)

Counseling is a vital service offered at the Centre, playing a crucial role in supporting patients as they navigate the emotional complexities of illness. Our compassionate counselors provide a safe environment for patients to openly discuss their experiences and concerns, helping them to maintain a positive mindset throughout their treatment journey.

The prospect of facing one's own mortality or that of a loved one can be incredibly daunting. Our counselors extend their support beyond patients, assisting family members, caregivers, and loved ones in managing their emotions during these challenging times. By working through their feelings, families can continue to provide exceptional care for their loved ones while avoiding burnout and maintaining balance in their own lives.

Counselor

Our counseling services focus on empowering both patients and their families with the tools and strategies needed to foster resilience, hope, and understanding. Through personalized sessions, we help individuals cope with stress, build emotional strength, and navigate the complexities of illness with confidence and compassion. At the Centre, our dedicated team is here to ensure that you and your loved ones receive the emotional support and guidance needed to face each step of the journey together.

Recreation

Recreational facilities, including games, newspapers, and tablets, are also available.

Antakshari with patients caretakers at Sukoon

Upon the patient's arrival, we conduct an individualized needs assessment to determine the specific requirements of both the patient and their family. Following this assessment, we tailor the therapies provided, such as Music therapy, Individual counselling, Cognitive therapy, and Art therapy, to meet the patient's needs and age.

Referrals for patients are mandatory.
There are no income restrictions.
The patients must be accompanied by a caregiver or attendant.

Sukoon Nilaya is part of the Mumbai Palliative Care Network a cohort of palliative care providers. This is a group of over 15 organizations and individuals working together for the cause of #PalliativeCare.  To know more you can visit the networks’ social media pages:

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