Thursday 17 May 2012
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Community Matron Service for supportive and palliative care in oxfordshire made permanent
9 June 2009
Two and a half years into a three year pilot, Sue Ryder – Nettlebed Hospice in Henley-on-Thames is delighted to announce its Community Matron service is now a permanent offering. Jointly funded by Sue Ryder and Oxfordshire PCT, the Community Matron is dedicated to coordinating supportive and palliative care for people in Oxfordshire and has helped cut admissions to hospital and enable more people to die at home. The Community Matron role has been recognised by the Department of Health as best practice.
Liz Clements has been in place as Sue Ryder’s Community Matron since the role was introduced in November 2006, and now manages end of life care for up to 60 people at any one time.
Heather Aldridge, Palliative Care Services Manager at Sue Ryder – Nettlebed Hospice, said: “Liz’s role involves co-ordinating the health services for the patient ensuring the right services are available at the right time. It is so important that the patient and their family feel supported and are aware of what help is available to them.”
Heather added: “Currently, 95% of people who are referred by GPs to receive specialist, consultant-led, palliative care have cancer. It is our vision that greater equality of access to end of life care should be available for people with all conditions.”
Liz Clements, Community Matron at Sue Ryder – Nettlebed Hospice, said: “In-line with the End of Life Care strategy, one of the the key aims of the Community Matron is to enable people to die in a place of their choice. Early evaluation shows the role is already having an impact. Initial reports indicate it has reduced hospital bed days and helped speed up the discharge of patients from hospital to enable them to die at home. It also seems that patient choice around end of life is more likely to be achieved through this role.
“At any one time, I manage the end of life care needs of between 40 to 60 people living with conditions including cancer, Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. It is an incredibly rewarding role and I have met some fantastic people. All the people I’ve introduced to the services offered at Nettlebed Hospice have been so appreciative of the expert care and support they receive.”
Referrals for Sue Ryder’s Community Matron service come from all areas including community and acute hospitals, social care, nursing homes, members of the primary health care team and relatives.
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