Hospice @Home has had a ‘massive impact’ since the service was set up by East Cheshire Hospice two years ago.
A growing number of patients are accessing the charity’s specialist palliative care services in the comfort of their own home.
Figures released on the second anniversary of the service show that so far Hospice@ Home staff have –
* Received 713 referrals.
* Made 6,815 home visits and 3,854 supportive telephone calls.
* Supported 412 people enabling them to die in their preferred place.
Tess Cleaver recently took over a new role as Hospice @Home Manager, having moved from the inpatient unit where she was a staff nurse.
She said: “Hospice @Home is about taking the excellent care we offer here in the inpatient unit and providing that in the community in people’s own homes.
“That was the vision for the service and that’s what’s being delivered. The impact has been massive.”
The service provides hands-on medical care, psychological support, symptom management, end-of- life care and care after death.
Nurses and co-ordinators work closely with other health care agencies, including GPs, district nurses, Macmillan and Marie Curie.
The service is ‘out-of-hours’ operating from 6.30 pm until 8 am and 24 hours at weekends.
Tess added: “If people can stay at home for their end-of-life care it avoids unwanted hospital admissions.
“Families try to do everything they can to look after their loved one and keep them at home but sometimes it becomes too much and they can’t help them in the way they’d like any more.
“Typically, a patient might need assistance with getting ready for bed, having a wash or going to the bathroom at 2 am. For them and their family that’s a crisis.
“That’s when our services come in to support the family. If no care were available, they may want to get them into hospital and because we’re helping we avoid those situations and that helps the NHS.”
Hospice @Home costs £2.2m for the first five years and is funded entirely by donors.
Tess said: “We wouldn’t be able to offer this service without the donors’ commitment so we’d like to thank them.
“People can’t put into words their gratitude for our service which involves collaborative working between several agencies. The need for those services will only become greater.”
