AN end of life transport service has been shortlisted for national award.

The End of Life Transport scheme ran by North East Ambulance Service gives terminally ill patients the option to be transported by ambulance with a specially trained crew to their preferred place to die within the region.

The innovative initiative helps patients plan where they want to end their life and ensures they get there in the most caring and comfortable way possible, reducing stress levels at a difficult time.

Ran with support from St John Ambulance crews, it has transported more than 1,700 patients since its launched in October 2015, most of whom were picked up at hospital and taken home to die.

The service has now been shortlisted in the compassionate patient care category of the Health Service Journal awards which recognises achievements in NHS.

Staff will give a presentation and talk to senior and influential figures from the health sector about the service who will chose a winner, to be announced at a ceremony in London in November.

NEAS chief operating officer Paul Liversidge is proud of the pioneering scheme and the national recognition, adding that challenging budgets and complex needs in the region could mean that such services are not be seen as a priority.

He said: "To get this service up and running and to keep it going, it has been a real team effort, and for that I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved.

“Any opportunity to raise the profile of patients at the end of their life and the services needed to support them is invaluable."