The local NHS is supporting the transformation of end of life care to improve outcomes for patients in the Vale of York.

According to a new study released by the Dying Matters Coalition to promote Dying Matters Awareness Week millions of us are failing to make adequate plans for dying and death and more than three quarters of us feel uncomfortable discussing end of life issues.

NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has identified end of life care as one of its strategic priorities for the next five years. In line with this, the CCG is supporting the Coalition by encouraging local residents to talk about death and dying and to communicate wishes for end of life care with friends, family and loved ones.

Lucy Botting, Chief Nurse at NHS Vale of York CCG, said: “Talking about dying and death doesn’t bring it nearer – it’s about planning for life because it allows you to make the most of the time you have.

“These meaningful discussions can help ensure that all of us can get the care and support we want, where we want it at the end of our lives.”

The CCG is a key member of the York and Scarborough End of Life Care Programme Board who support the 3,650 patients in the local area who are likely to be in their last year of life.

Work undertaken by the Board to date includes a review of current provision, the local care pathways for patients, and has recently commissioned a survey of family carers to find out the views of local people who have recently accessed end of life care services.

To assist the growing number of people in their last phase of life that are being supported to spend their last days of life at home, the CCG is working with home-care providers, Marie-Curie and St. Leonards Hospice, and the local NHS to improve coordination of care.

For those people cared for in hospital, the CCG are keen to ensure that staff have up to date, accessible guidance, protocols and advice on how to care for patients in the end of life phase.

Lucy Botting added: “The CCG’s key objective is to give patients the best possible quality of life and choice in their end of life care.

“As well as the work that is currently being undertaken in the Vale of York, we want people to understand how important it is to talk about end of life care. Through being more confident in talking about dying and taking small actions to plan for the future and support each other, together we can make a big difference.”

If you would like further information about end of life issues contact the Dying Matters team on freephone 08000 21 44 66 or at info@dyingmatters.org.

< Back to all news stories