Residents across North West London are being given the opportunity to review and respond to a proposed new model of care for community-based specialist palliative care.
Over the last year, a group of NW London residents, clinicians, NHS providers and charities have co-designed the new model of care with the goal of ensuring improved access to high quality services across the region.
The model is set to cover a range of community-based specialist palliative care services, with a central aim to help patients stay in their own homes, whilst allowing them the flexibility to change to an alternative care setting if and when required.
Levelling up the provision of services and availability across NW London boroughs is another key feature of the model itself, which aims to extend the provision of a 24/7 telephone advice line for new and existing patients; increase support to care homes; extend the hours of care provision by specialist teams; and introduce common standards for psychological and bereavement support services. The model will also look to expand Hospice at Home services to all boroughs, offering 24-hour care in patient’s homes and expanding lymphoedema services across the wider community.
In addition, the new model is expected to increase the volume and variety of inpatient bed care options, through the introduction of enhanced end-of-life care beds for people with less complex palliative care needs.
Local residents are being asked to provide their feedback on the proposed model by either completing a survey or attending one of the ICS’s online events. Anyone wishing to attend an event can book their place via the link here.
Staying in North West London, the ICS recently announced that it will be refreshing its mental health strategy, working alongside local authorities and partners “responsible for the delivery and planning of health and social care services.”
In February, NWL ICS held a 14-week public consultation involving up to 2,000 patients in the proposed development of a new centre of excellence for inpatient orthopaedic surgery at Central Middlesex Hospital.
Last year, North West London NHS FT (CNWEL) published its end of life care strategy which outlined the trust’s strategy for the next two years. The trust stated: “This plan therefore is about care for everyone, as life progresses. It is about preserving the dignity and humanity of every person.”
