A new care service has been launched to allow terminally-ill residents to receive support in their homes.
The Greenwich Macmillan Palliative Care Support Service was officially launched at the Town Hall by the Mayor of Greenwich, Dr Paul Tyler, on 17 May.
What support does it provide?
The service operates 365 days a year.
There are flexible daytime visits between 7am and 11pm to suit the needs of the patient and carer.
An overnight service is available between 11pm and 7am to provide a break for carers.
In addition, short pop-in visits between 10.30pm and 6am offer support for toileting, turning or making a drink.
Who runs the scheme?
The project is a joint operation involving the Council, Macmillan Cancer Support and Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust.
The service is provided by a small, dedicated team of support staff who have received specialist training in health and social care. They work closely with District Nurses, specialist palliative care nurses and other NHS staff.
The team comprises six daytime staff, assisted by staff who work at night.
They can provide care to up to about eight people at any one time. Referrals can be made by nurses, GPs and other health and social care professionals.
The service has already provided help to more than 60 people.
Providing carers with support and a break
Macmillan has provided more than £400,000 for the scheme.
Macmillan Development Manager Karen McLean says the scheme recognises that caring for someone with cancer can be physically and emotionally exhausting. She said:
"It provides carers with free support and a much needed break to help them cope with the stresses of their caring role.
"That really can contribute to allowing the person who is ill to remain at home as long as possible."
Providing a crucial service
Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust Chair Michael Chuter said the joint project was providing a crucial service to patients.
"The Trust is committed to providing more choice and to providing care as close to people's homes as possible. This new service helps us do just that."
Supporting people
Do you need support to help you to live independently in your own home? Find out about Supporting People.
17 May 2006