ROUND-the-clock nursing care is to be provided for terminally-ill patients on Teesside.
An extra cash allocation of £693,000 phased over the next three years under Labour's New Opportunities funding, means district nurse overnight cover for cancer patients and other terminally-ill patients, between 11pm and 8.30am.
The service will be based at Teesside Hospice for patients who are registered with Middesbrough and Eston Primary Care Group, and at Guisborough Health Centre for those with Langbaurgh Primary Care Group.
Sandra Young, lead nurse for cancer and palliative care services with the Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust, said: "In 1999, a piece of research carried out in Teesside found that 91 per cent of cancer patients admitted to hospital during 1998-99 were admitted as emergencies, and this highlighted a gap in the provision of community support services.
"This new service will bridge the gap, hopefully prevent many hospital admissions and enable patients to remain at home, if that is their wish."
The trust says the service offers general nursing care, practical help and support, pain and symptom management as well as a listening ear and reassurance to patients and carers who may feel alone and isolated during the night.
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