THE new End of Life Care Co-ordination Hub, a unique model that sees Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and its partners deliver joined up, co-ordinated care, has been launched today at Sandwell Hospital.
This ‘New Connected Palliative Care’ Service is a collaborative work between John Taylor Hospice, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, CrossRoads Care, Age Concern, and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. The service has been commissioned by Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver End-of-Life-Care services to people who are registered with a Sandwell and West Birmingham GP.
The End-of-Life care Co-ordination Hub is located at Sandwell Hospital and provides 7 day access to a wide range of services for patients in their last year of life including hospice beds, domestic support and specialist palliative care.
SWBH Nurse Manager & Service Lead Palliative and End-Of-Life Care Tammy Davies said: “The launch today is a perfect opportunity for us to showcase to our local community the End-Of-Life care support that we provide. We have built a central hub which acts as a one-stop-shop for patients, carers and healthcare professionals. This will enable us to work directly with everyone who is involved in the care of patients to make plans and organise special care if necessary.
“Our ultimate goal is to provide the best support to patients and their family during a difficult time. We offer advice and support to cope with illness and refer patients and carers to whichever special care they need.”
Professor Nick Harding, GP and Chair of Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “A great deal of work has taken us to this point in listening to patients, carers and providers; evaluating what was already on offer; developing a model with a co-ordination hub, urgent/crisis response team, and 24/7 access; and the appointment of the Trust as the main provider working with local hospices and voluntary organisations.”
Chief Executive of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, Tina Swani said: “Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice is delighted with this unique opportunity to be involved with the Connected Palliative Care partnership. It is our belief that collaboration is central to ensuring individuals, families and carers come first and through partnerships like this we hope to improve end of life and palliative care for people living in Sandwell and West Birmingham. We look forward to reaching out to more local people to provide ‘Hospice care for all’ and support whenever they need us, however they need us.”
Crossroads CEO Chris Christie commented: “We are extremely proud to be a team partner of Connected Palliative Care services. Our role is to provide dedicated highly trained staff as part of the ‘Hub Rapid Response Team’. Their role is to work alongside the clinical staff 24/7, providing support to patients at a time that is most critical, with the aim for them to remain in their own home for as long as possible.
“Alongside The Hub Rapid Response Team, we have additional Crossroads staff fully trained to provide respite care across Sandwell and West Birmingham, enabling family carers to recharge and have a break from their responsibilities during this difficult period.”
Age Concern Birmingham Director of Operations and Development Becky Smith said: “ Age Concern Birmingham are proud to be working in partnership with Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust to deliver a quality domestic service and a home visiting advice and information service to support people to remain living in their own homes by making a difference.
“We strive to deliver our services so they are flexible and person centred to support the ultimate goal of the Trust. Team members, service coordinator, Kelly Hodgson and Advice and Information officer Andrew Walters are passionate about the services they offer and since service delivery commenced in April 2016 they have been listening to feedback from users in order to continue to develop our service offer to support people through a difficult time.”
John Taylor Hospice CEO Penny Venables added: “John Taylor Hospice has been providing expert care for local families for more than 100 years and we are delighted the Connected Palliative Care partnership now ensures we can extend that support to even more patients and their families.
“The partnership will have real benefits for people living in Sandwell and West Birmingham. Through Connected Palliative Care they will be able to access a ‘Taylor-made’ package of care designed to meet their needs. Working together with the other partners in Connected Palliative Care, we will look to provide seamless support which meets their individual needs.”
Ms Helen Stephens, a member of the public who attended the event, said: “I am very impressed with the new model of care that they launch today. As a patient who has complex needs and does not have family support, the new connected palliative care services would surely help me get the care that I need.”
For more information about the services, please contact Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust Communications team on 0121 507 5303.
Leave a Comment