As part of the new service, nurses and healthcare assistants from Marie Curie and St Michael’s Hospice will provide hands-on nursing care and support to people with a terminal diagnosis and their families 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Senior nurses at St Michael’s will also be available on call around the clock to prove urgent care and assessment when needed.
A new ‘hub’, based at the hospice, will coordinate the hospice at home service with services provided by other health and social care professionals, so different teams can work better together to identify and support people with a terminal illness and their families.
The hub will also provide a 24/7 advice and support line for patients, those close to them and the professionals who support them.
It is hoped that these new services will help reduce unnecessary emergency admissions to hospitals, and the time spent in hospital, when people don’t want or need to be there.
“By working in partnership we are giving patients and their loved ones the care they need in the place they want,” explained Sue Morgan, director of care at St Michael’s Hospice.
“We are passionate about helping people remain in their homes for as long as they would like. We also want the service to be as flexible and responsive as possible.”
Andrew Wilson-Mouasher, divisional general manager for Marie Curie, added: “The early signs are encouraging that this new service will make a real difference to families across the county.
“By working together with St Michael’s Hospice and existing community services, we will be able to provide even more help for families going through really difficult times, and enable more local people to get the hands-on care and support they need in the place they want.”
Find out more about the Herefordshire Hospice at Home service and advice line on St Michael’s Hospice website.
Leave a Reply