AN investment of £5million is aiming to improve access to specialist palliative and end-of-life care places.
The Better Care Fund and the NHS Shropshire, Wrekin and Telford ICB and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) money will support efforts to help people access more personalised services closer to home.
It will be targeted towards a new Palliative Crisis Avoidance, Response and Management (PCARM) service and enhanced specialist care support.
Phil Smith, from the ICB, said:
"We know that when people are approaching the end of life that what matters most is receiving compassionate, personalised care in the place that feels right for them and their loved ones.
"This significant investment will help us strengthen palliative and end of life care across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, ensuring more people can access specialist support earlier, receive care closer to home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions wherever possible.
"Working closely with our hospice partners, local NHS organisations and councils, we are creating a more joined-up approach to care that will improve patients' experiences and provide greater support for families and carers at some of the most important moments in their lives."
The new PCARM service will be delivered in partnership with care providers, including St Giles Hospice.
It will provide "rapid access" to specialist palliative care support for people experiencing a deterioration in their condition. It is hoped that its introduction will help more people to remain at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
