A NEW service providing end-of-life care will launch next week thanks to a collaboration between hospices, charity and a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

End of life care across Hambleton and Richmondshire was previously provided under a service called ‘Fast Track’ which paid for local private agencies to provide care at home.

As of Monday a new service will launch that will see patients receive day time care at home, overnight care, additional equipment at home and supported admission into end of life care in a step-up/step down bed.

The new service is a result of a partnership between NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group CCG, Herriot Hospice Homecare, St Teresa’s Hospice, Marie Curie, and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

It is hoped that it will result in reduced hospital admissions and address delays in hospital discharges from hospital for patients in the last days of life.

Gill Collinson, Chief Nurse of the CCG said: “Safe and dignified end of life care is of ever-increasing importance for our population. Under the previous scheme, patients who wanted to die at home or close to home were not always able to do so.” She added: “It can be a difficult subject for patients and families to come to terms with, but it’s so important to get right.”