A Government Minister has praised the work of hospices in Sussex and called on the National Health Service and local Primary Care Trusts to work more closely with them.

Lord Darzi, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, told a meeting of Sussex hospice representatives, health professionals and politicians that meeting the needs of patients with terminal illnesses was paramount.

“There is a huge mismatch between what many patients and their families desire, to die at home, versus what we were providing them within a hospital setting,” Lord Darzi said.

“That’s what brought my attention to the hospice movement in the first instance. Hospices have done a tremendous job in highlighting the needs of patients.”

Lord Darzi, globally recognised for his pioneering and innovative work in the advancement of micro surgery, published his review of the NHS in June this year. The review included end of life care as one of the eight patient pathways examined by local clinical working groups across England and was supported and complemented by the first ever strategy for end of life care within the NHS, which was published shortly afterwards. The Review will ensure patients and the public benefit from more information and choice in an NHS focussed on delivering high quality personalised care for all. It places a strong emphasis on the NHS working in partnership with other care providers to provide seamless care for patients that reflects their preferences and expectations.

Commenting on the strategy, he told the meeting at the House of Lords: “We have £286million available over the years 2009 to 2011 to make it happen. The majority of this additional funding will filter down to PCTs to ensure it is available to implement local action plans to develop and improve end of life care services. We have through the good work of hospices a way in which we can deliver this. The NHS cannot do it on its own, it must be in partnership.”

Lord Darzi said that details of how the money would be used to improve end of life care would be announced locally around the New Year. He urged the Sussex hospice movement to “hold the NHS to account” to ensure that their patients receive high quality care and have more choice in where they are cared for and die.

Responding on behalf of East Sussex Hospices, Shaun O’Leary welcomed the End of Life Care Strategy that should bring choice to many more patients. He said: “We have always believed that our hospices provide the highest quality care to patients and their families, and our ambition is to extend this quality to the many.”

“Working together, PCT commissioners and providers can pool resources, share expertise and work together to challenge the status quo and make real improvements in this area,” he said.

Mr O’Leary highlighted the constant challenge of funding for the care provided by hospices in East Sussex. He told the meeting: “We must take steps toward more equitable funding arrangements for hospices. The south east of England has nearly the lowest rate of percentage contribution to hospice costs. The national average is 35%, but in our region many receive just 12% or 13%.”

Presentations were made by Kristiina Parkinson, Commissioner for Community Services, Brighton & Hove City Primary Care Trust and Dr Peter Greene, Chair of the End of Life Strategy Development Board for East Sussex, which has been working with all local stakeholders involved on a blueprint to deliver an improved of end of life care service. Both lauded the excellence of the East Sussex hospices and recognised the importance of engaging fully with them in order to harness their expertise and share good practice initiatives across the PCT’s.

Kathy Gore, chairman of Friends of East Sussex Hospices and organiser of the House of Lords meeting urged the PCTs to cement their relationships with hospices and to move forward with the all-important task of helping patients in their direst hour of need.

Speaking after the meeting on Thursday October 23, she said: “The End of Life Care Strategy clearly shows that patients need choice as to where they spend their final days and hours. The Friends of East Sussex Hospices urges the PCTs to work more closely with the hospice movement to make these changes and bring huge benefits and peace of mind to our patients.”

The reception, which was hosted by Baroness Cumberlege, a Patron of the charity, was jointly sponsored by Mr Michael Chowen and Keep Able Limited, the UK’s leading mobility retailer with nationwide stores – which also provides mobility solutions to national charities including Help the Aged, Grand Charity and Independent Age.

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Note to News Editors

The hospices represented were:

St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Eastbourne
Hospice in the Weald, Tunbridge Wells
St Michael’s Hospice, Hastings
Martlets Hospice, Hove
St Peter & St James Hospice, Chailey
St Catherine’s Hospice, Crawley
Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, Nr. Arundel
Leo House at Home, Brighton
Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Sittingbourne & Magham Down

For more information please contact:

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