In just six months, our partnership with our neighbouring hospices to provide a regional 24/7 advice phone line has proven invaluable for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
In just six months, our partnership with neighbouring hospices to provide a regional 24/7 advice phone line has proven invaluable for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The phone line offers out-of-hours support to those with incurable illnesses, their loved ones, and professionals.
It has reduced urgent and emergency care needs by 54%.
Additionally, 71% of users reported symptom improvement.
With a projected 25% increase in palliative care needs by 2040*, we partnered with Dougie Mac and Compton Care to create a single phone line.
In the last six months we’ve seen:
60% of callers needing clinical assessment and/intervention
72% cases provided clinical therapeutic benefit to caller
70% supported a multi-disciplinary approach to delivering care
The review indicates the real need for and impact of this service to members of the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent community when they need it most.David Fletcher, Director of Care
It is great to see half the calls were from health and social care professionals working with palliative patients and those living with incurable illness as we are here to provide our expert support for free to them too.
It has been a privilege to work with our hospice colleagues and we hope to obtain NHS funding which would allow the service to continue next year.
The collaborative work continues with aims of:
Fewer patients seeking support from urgent emergency care such as calling 999, an ambulance and A&E
Fewer patients dying with uncontrolled symptoms
Over 2,000 patient bed days saved
Increased preferred place of care and death
Better value for money with more activity
Seamless care services
We can provide expert advice and support to:
anyone with a palliative care diagnosis and their loved ones
healthcare professionals supporting a palliative patient.
