A pilot programme is being launched this week in rural north Warwickshire to provide a rapid response home-based service round the clock to people approaching the end of life.It is the result of co...
A pilot programme is being launched this week in rural north Warwickshire to provide a rapid response home-based service round the clock to people approaching the end of life.
It is the result of collaboration between Mary Ann Evans Hospice (MAEH) and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT), with a team of community nurses initially covering the Atherstone, Polesworth, Kingsbury and Coleshill area.
The MAEH team is working alongside SWFT’s community nurses to educate people about and upscale the delivery of palliative care in the local community; this includes the Rapid Response Team supporting local nursing and residential homes.
The team will be working closely with local GP practices and Macmillan services. They will be able to provide rapid symptom control, emotional support, knowledge and advice to patients, families and care staff in order to deliver the highest standard of palliative care.
The scheme will enable people to remain in their own home – including care homes. The service is initially being trialled for one year and builds on the success of the Hospice and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust’s Rapid Response Night time Service.
The service will also help highlight the other clinical services that the Hospice delivers on a daily basis.
The pilot scheme is supported by the WPH Charitable Trust, Warwickshire County Council through the Warwickshire Cares Better Together Programme and Warwickshire North Clinical Commissioning Group.
Councillor Les Caborn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “This is about providing better experiences for people approaching the end of life by making sure that control of their health symptoms, emotional support, and advice for patients, their families and carers from experts in palliative care, is made a priority.
“I’m pleased to see this pilot launch in the north of the county and pleased that Warwickshire County Council has been able to support Mary Ann Evans Hospice and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust with this initiative.”