Languages
Award Winning Care Scheme Enters New Phase
11.11.2008
A new facility for an award winning care scheme for terminally ill people in Colchester has been officially opened. The project is a joint initiative between Colchester Borough Homes and NHS North East Essex. In May Colchester Borough Homes won the Most Innovative Project 2008 award from the housing organisation, the NFA, for the scheme – which is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
The initiative aims to address a big gap in the current system of palliative care. The government wants to allow more people the opportunity to die at home – if this is their wish. Half of all adults who are terminally ill in England express a wish to die at home, but this only happens to one in five people.
A room at the Cannons “Extra Care” scheme has now been permanently allocated to the project. This means that suitable people – who have been identified during their stay in hospital – can be moved into the room and effectively be in their own home. They get a full care package that has been carefully worked out according to their changing needs.
The scheme was set up in October last year by Colchester Borough Homes Sheltered Housing Manager Jacqui Tavner and NHS Community Matron Jan Secretan. So far, two people have benefited from the project.
Jacqui Tavner said, “Having a permanent facility which is suitable is a really big step forward. This means that when we identify people who can benefit from the scheme we can move quickly to accommodate them. Before this, we could only help people if a tenancy of a suitable room was coming to an end at the right time. We think it is really important that we help as many people as possible.”
Jan Secretan, Community Matron with NHS North East Essex, said: "Health is not just the responsibility of the health service but of all the statutory agencies. This initiative shows what can be achieved when we all work in partnership. I am delighted with the success of this scheme and look forward to our joint-working bringing further benefits to people needing care."
‹ Back
