For 25 years, Durban's Hillcrest Hospital has been home to Violet Graham. Lynette Warburg and Cecilia Blose have been living at the hospital for nearly as long.All three require long-term care.KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo visited the hospital yesterday and stressed the need for specialised medical care for people with serious illnesses.Warburg, who had a stroke 27 years ago and suffers from arthritis, said the support and medication she receives at the hospital has enabled her to live a pain-free life."Despite my arthritis, I have learned, through occupational therapy, to do craftwork and I sell what I make."I am very settled here and would not want to impose on anyone or be a burden to my family, who live far away," she said.Dhlomo said: "There is a need for healthcare professionals to continue to offer support to patients after their discharge from hospital, especially those in pain."We don't look after this component. The physical pain [causes] emotional pain, which leaves the entire family distressed."Dhlomo said healthcare workers should strive to let people die with a smile, knowing that they had had a good life."Today more people require palliative care."The situation today, especially with HIV and Aids, calls for increased awareness and the integration of the palliative-care approach and in disease management," said Dhlomo.A palliative care conference begins in Durban on Sunday...