Supportive and palliative care of cancer patients at the Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Switzerland.

In 1991, the first unit for oncology palliative care within an oncology centre in the country was opened in St. Gallen, Switzerland. The main admission criterion is symptom distress due to advanced cancer disease. The mean duration of hospitalisation was 23 days in 140 patients in 1994. Approximately one third of the patients die within the unit, while one third can be discharged for home care. The aims and strategies of interdisciplinary palliative care are described. The need for the 11-bed unit is documented by its high occupancy, by patient satisfaction and by its influence on palliative care development in and outside the country.