THE future of specialist end-of-life care in Salisbury has been secured for the next five years, offering reassurance to families across the area.
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that its Specialist Palliative Care service will continue, backed by support from Salisbury Hospice Charity.
The service plays a vital role for patients with life-limiting illnesses, providing care both in the hospice and at home.
Under the new agreement, all core services will remain in place, including the ten-bed hospice inpatient unit, community palliative care teams, outpatient clinics, day services, and family and bereavement support.
Patients will continue to receive expert care at home from a consultant-led team working closely with other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated and compassionate support.
However, one change has been confirmed. The healthcare assistant-led domiciliary service, known as Hospice at Home, will come to an end as part of a revised service model.
Community Specialist Palliative Care services are commissioned by HCRG Care Group, which oversees provision across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.
Despite the change, health leaders say the focus remains firmly on maintaining high standards of care for patients and their families.
Managing director Nick Johnson said: “We’re pleased to secure the future of the Salisbury Specialist Palliative Care service for the next five years, ensuring patients and families continue to receive compassionate, high-quality care.
“This agreement reflects strong partnership working and our ongoing commitment to delivering expert support, particularly for those being cared for at home.”
The announcement will be welcomed by many in Salisbury and the surrounding areas, where the hospice service is widely valued for the support it provides during some of life’s most difficult moments.
With long-term funding now confirmed, attention will turn to how services continue to evolve, while ensuring that dignity, compassion and care remain at the heart of support for patients and their loved ones.
The hospice carry out excellent care and support for the patients and their families. I don’t know how we would have coped without them. Staff are very caring people.
So pleased this has been secured. Hospice at home carers enabled my husband to die at home, exactly where he wanted to be, and supported me during the last few days of his life. They were so caring to us both. I couldn’t have managed without them.