AN OVERNIGHT service enabling patients to stay at home as they approach the end of their lives has been hailed a ‘success’ in south Warwickshire.
Since the Rapid Response service launched at the end of April, nearly 1,500 people have been supported and kept out of hospital.
The service is staffed by registered nurses and senior healthcare assistants between 8pm and 8am and is a collaboration between Myton Hospices, Shakespeare Hospice, Shipston Home Nursing and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT).
It was part funded by former Jaguar chairman Sir John Egan and his wife.
Nearly half the visits were made within half an hour with most calls made for pain relief, advice and catheter care.
The team has also given end of life assessment, advice or support through around 500 telephone calls.
Amanda Kyberd, whose mother was cared for by the team, said: “Without you I wouldn’t have been able to grant my mum’s last wish to die at home.”
SWFT spokeswoman Julie Hemming said: “Thank you to everyone who has helped to provide such a successful service. Prior to the implementation of Rapid Response many patients expressed their wish to stay in their own homes with their loved ones as they reached the end of their lives. I am very proud that this service has provided all the necessary support and reassurance to make that happen.
“Our aim has and always will be to deliver the very best care for our patients by continually looking for new ways to improve the service. Patient experiences and feedback from relatives is fundamental in helping us to achieve this. Thank you to everyone who has taken their time to provide such valuable feedback.”
Call the Rapid Response team on 07775 016618 for more information.
