DHU end of life care service in Northamptonshire receives national recognition

Our Northamptonshire Palliative and End of Life Care Team has been named as a finalist in the prestigious Nursing Times Awards. Recognised in the Nursing in the Community category, it is an incredible achievement for a team that was only set up this year, bringing together four existing services to help provide essential end of life care at home. The team commenced the service in Northants at the beginning of April bringing together 24/7 Rapid Response, Hospice @ Home and the day and night care services to enable the team to visit patients 24 hours a day when required. This community based service ensures patients, their families and carers can be looked after in the comfort of their own home - aligning perfectly with the NHS Long Term Plan. Fully integrated into the regional health system with a close working relationship with the Northants ICB, Kirsty Osborn, DHU Healthcare’s Director of Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “This is an incredible achievement just a few months after commencing the service and the fact it aligns so closely to the NHS Long-Term Plan with the patient, their families and carers at the centre, makes it especially important to us. “This service gives patients on end of life care a choice about where to spend their final moments. We’re able to provide care in people’s homes, a familiar environment, to make their final days as comfortable as possible. “To support them at home surrounded by loved ones at all times is all about the patient and family experience, a last chance for families to be together to make final memories, under the most difficult circumstances, be as peaceful and reassuring as possible.” “The team work closely with the patient’s other care providers, including their GP and social care professionals, to ensure the wishes and care needs of the patient and their family is respected at all times.” The winners will be announced on October 29 at a ceremony in London.