The Programme for the comprehensive care of people with advanced diseases was set up in 2008 with the aim of helping to improve the quality of life of people at the end of their lives, by attending to their emotional, social and spiritual needs. Healthcare is complemented by professional teams that offer psychosocial and spiritual support to ensure both patients and their families receive comprehensive care.
This pioneering initiative has 45 psychosocial care teams (EAPS) made up of psychologists, social workers, nurses, doctors, pastoral experts and volunteers, with a presence in Spain's 17 autonomous regions and in the autonomous city of Ceuta, who work in hospitals, at the patient's home and, from 2020, also in care homes.
Every year the programme attends to more than 34,000 patients and over 39,000 relatives, assisted by more than 1,000 volunteers. Since it began, the programme has helped more than 230,000 patients and 300,000 relatives.
With this programme, endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), we complement the work carried out by public bodies in the area of palliative care and care for the terminally ill in Spain, as well as raising awareness in society to ensure people realise what palliative care means and understand the different aspects particular to the end of life, as well as promoting new practices in palliative care.
