Introduction: Lódz is a big town in central Poland with near 800 000 inhabitants and it is the capital of a province which comprise over 2 600 000 inhabitants. Every year in Lódz´ province over 6500 patients die from cancer and these patients need palliative care.
Aim of the study: To assess the present stage of palliative care in Lódz´ province and to improve clinical, educational and research aspects of palliative care.
Material and Methods: Information gathered from heads of all palliative care units in Lódz´ province by the questionnaire elaborated by Expert Group of National Consultant in Palliative Medicine in Poland.
Results: There are 6 inpatient departments in Lódz province (3 of them in Lódz´) which comprise 71 beds (46 in Lódz´) and 22 home care teams (5 of them in Lódz´) usually with outpatient clinics. In most of the towns there are palliative care services. In October 2002 on the initiative of Regional Consultant the Palliative Medicine Department as a part of Chair of Oncology at the Medical University in Lódz´ was established which is educational and research centre. Since 2002 there are new educational programmes for family doctors and district nurses. In 2003 a conference for doctors working in palliative care departments in Lódz´ province was organised. There is still continuation of education for volunteers. Future plans comprise organisation of a course in 2004 for doctors specialising in palliative medicine and also continuing the research with the use of topical morphine. A new programme of developing palliative care in Lo´dz´ province was elaborated by Regional Consultant.
Conclusions: In most of the Lódz´ province patients have access to palliative care (at least to home care). However in some regions palliative care is not available. All efforts will be focused on improving availability (for home and inpatient care) and quality of care for patients together with educational and research activities.