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 study released 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 key priorities and is encouraging local residents to talk about death and dying and to communicate wishes for end of life care with friends, family and loved ones.

Dr Andrew Phillips, Interim Deputy Chief Clinical Officer 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, who are responsible for commissioning the majority of healthcare services across the Vale of York, recently announced it is providing additional funding to a local hospice in its work to help terminally ill patients receive extra care and support in their own home.

The CCG is working closely with St Leonard’s Hospice to provide an enhanced Hospice @ Home service. The additional funding will help to treat more patients who are reaching the end of their life, in the familiar surroundings of home and their family if they choose and if it is clinically appropriate and safe to do so.

Dr Andrew Phillips, Interim Deputy Chief Clinical Officer at NHS Vale of York CCG, said: “The Hospice @ Home service provides ‘hands-on’ palliative care to patients in their own home. It will be offered when patients who want to be discharged to be able to die at home, to people who do not want to be admitted to an acute hospital bed and those who are waiting for a hospice bed and need the extra care and support at the end of life.

“The Hospice @ Home team will be working very closely with other healthcare professionals to enhance nursing care, provide advice and support in the evening and at weekends and I am delighted that this new and important way of providing expert care is now off the ground.

Emma Johnson, Director of Clinical Services at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “Last winter’s joint scheme with the CCG presented a great opportunity to bring together local community teams and the skills of the Hospice @ Home team to provide care, where clinically possible, to patients at the end of life in their own home, with their own belongings and comforts around them.

“By providing compassionate care for people at home or in a place which has become their home, they are able to die amongst familiar surroundings, knowing that they have access to appropriate and timely care. 

Dr Andrew Phillips added: “We want 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 on behalf of the Vale of York community of palliative patients, we want people to understand how important it is to talk about end of life care. Your GP, their team, and other healthcare professionals will be ready to listen and support you in dealing with your wishes at this time. We want to support you to feel comfortable about discussing this, often taboo subject, and to be more confident in talking about dying and taking small actions to plan for the future. Together we can make a big difference.”

For more information on the Hospice @ Home service, go to www.stleonardshospice.org.uk.

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