Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG are working together to provide a new ‘home from home’ end of life care service for patients who can no longer manage in their own home. The service will be based at Leasowes in Smethwick.
The aim of the service is to provide patients and their families with a supportive environment during the last days of their life which avoids the need for them to go in to an acute hospital. The Leasowes Intermediate Care Unit will provide two beds to give personalised care to people whose end of life care needs can no longer be met in their home. This will be provided in single rooms with en-suite facilities. The unit will also support family members and friends who can be with their loved ones for 24 hours a day.
Marian Long, Lead Matron for Older People’s Services, said: “This service is much needed and we are proud to be part of the developing end of life care services in Sandwell.
“We hope that this development will benefit the people of Sandwell by providing a calm community alternative to hospital care for those patients nearing the end of their lives.”
Dr Ayaz Ahmed, Clinical Lead for End of Life Care added: “It is vitally important that at this time in a person’s life that we make sure they have the optimum care in comfortable surroundings, where they and their loved ones can receive the support they need. This facility at Leasowes is much welcomed and ensures that the people of Sandwell have enhanced end of life support.”
The multi-disciplinary team based at Leasowes will be fully supported by Oakham GPs who have worked with the team for many years, delivering safe responsive care with palliative care expertise provided by SWBH palliative care consultants and the Sandwell Hospice at Home Service, as well as the on-going partnership with community nursing teams.
The service will be available from 19 August. For more information, contact Matron Marian Long on 0121 612 3444.
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