Update to the referral criteria for the Welfare and Benefits Service, taking effect from 1 January 2026.

As part of ongoing service review, and to ensure alignment with St Barnabas as a specialist palliative care organisation, we can no longer accept new referrals where the sole diagnosis is being treated with curative intent. Referrals will continue to be accepted where the overall clinical picture reflects a palliative or life-limiting condition, including cases where prognosis is unknown, treatable but not curative, or where prognosis may be years plus, but treatment is not curative.

To support you with this change, below you can find a one-page quick reference guide outlining:

  • Accepted diagnoses (non-exhaustive)
  • Prognostic criteria we continue to accept
  • Key guidance to help ensure eligible patients are not missed

What has NOT changed?

We continue to accept referrals for:

  • All conditions listed in the referral criteria (as per the attached guidance)
  • Patients with a cancer diagnosis where the prognosis is:
    • Unknown
    • Unclear
    • Treatable but not curative
    • Palliative or SR1
  • Patients undergoing curative cancer treatment who also have another condition that meets our criteria (we would particularly encourage referrers to review the patient’s full medical history, as many patients being treated for cancer or other conditions with a curative intent may also have co-existing life-limiting or palliative diagnoses that meet the criteria and make them eligible for support.​​​​​​)
  • Patients with a curative-intent diagnosis who have previously been supported by our service, who can continue to be referred to us


Please note:

  • This change applies to new referrals with a cancer diagnosis where the intent is curative only, and no other qualifying conditions are present
  • Patients already known to the service with a curative prognosis will continue to be supported
  • If you are unsure whether a patient meets the criteria, please contact the team to discuss — we would always prefer to have a conversation rather than risk a patient missing out on support

📞 Welfare and Benefits Service: 01476 513544

Thank you for your continued support and referrals. 

Welfare and Benefits - Referral Criteria


 

Welfare and Benefits Referral Form 2026