Paramedics and hospice staff in Essex have come together in a groundbreaking project that aims to revolutionize end-of-life care. The partnership between the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) and St Helena Hospice is one of the first of its kind in England and seeks to integrate the skills of emergency and hospice care.
Under the innovative scheme, three paramedics are rotating between the ambulance service and St Helena Hospice’s SinglePoint service. SinglePoint is a round-the-clock helpline and rapid response service that caters to individuals receiving end-of-life care at home throughout north-east Essex.
By utilizing their unique skill set, including patient assessment, diagnostics, and immediate wound care, the paramedics can provide vital support in the hospice setting. This allows for the sharing of expertise between both organizations and ensures that patients nearing the end of life receive appropriate care while staying in the comfort of their own homes. The project aims to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and respects the patients’ decision to remain in their preferred setting.
Nicky Coombes, the hospice in the home matron at St Helena, highlights the significance of this collaboration in preserving patient autonomy and providing necessary assistance. For our patients, it’s keeping them in a place where they want to be cared for and giving them support so they can remain at home and are less likely to be conveyed to the hospital, Coombes explained.
The collaboration also offers the paramedics an invaluable opportunity to enhance their professional skills by engaging directly with end-of-life patients and their families. Scott O’Rourke, one of the paramedics involved in the partnership, expressed the benefits of the arrangement. This allows me to keep up all of my chronic and acute assessment and treatment skills, O’Rourke noted. During day shifts, O’Rourke works in the hospice, conducting patient assessments and providing assistance. At night, he transitions to the ambulance service, responding to emergency calls and honing his acute care expertise.
The project is breaking new ground in its approach to end-of-life care, blending the strengths of emergency and hospice care to create a seamless continuum of assistance. By providing additional support to those in need while respecting their desires to remain at home, this collaborative effort promotes patient-centered care and is shaping the future of end-of-life services.
The success of this groundbreaking project could have far-reaching implications for end-of-life care across the country. The integration of paramedics into the hospice environment showcases the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and highlights the potential for improved care outcomes. As the project progresses, its impact will be closely monitored, and valuable lessons can be learned to inform and inspire future initiatives in end-of-life care.
In a time of increased focus on patient well-being and preferences, innovative projects like this highlight the importance of adapting and evolving traditional care models. By embracing new approaches and collaborating across disciplines, healthcare professionals can work together to truly make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
