We launched our Northants Palliative and End of Life Care (NPEoLC) service in April (click here to read more), bringing together four services that ensure patients, their families and carers can be looked after in their own home.
We spoke to Sara, one of five Co-Ordinators for the service, to find out a little bit more about her role and how the service works for you. Here’s what she told us…
"Supportive, reassuring and compassionate..."
“My background is in hairdressing and teaching, I moved into End of Life Care, initially with Age UK, after looking after and losing my Mum during Covid. I just remember how supportive, reassuring and compassionate they were with us and I wanted to be a part of that.
“I am a people person, I love talking to, listening and helping other people; I don’t think you could do this job without those qualities alongside a strong sense of empathy. Between the five of us, we man the phone line 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and take calls from paramedics, doctors, nurses, care homes, families and anyone in touch with a person receiving end of life care.
“We listen to and understand what they need, doing our very best to point them in the right direction for the help, treatment or advice they need. Sometimes it’s about reassurance, that what is happening to their loved one is normal, other times it’s help with pain management or symptom advice.
“It’s not unusual for a person to call simply because they need emotional support. That’s where listening and a kind, supportive word makes all the difference and we can provide one of a number of services to help reassure them that their loved one is in good hands.
"Those final moments are precious"
“We can offer a nurse visit, sometimes an overnight sit in to help families rest, day carers, there’s the Hospice at Home service and we can offer over the phone advice. As Co-Ordinators, we are the link point, the first port of call for anyone using the service and we need to get it right to ensure those final moments are precious and positive.
“I honestly think this service is vital for families and, having been through that experience myself, I don’t know how families who live in a region where a service like this isn’t available would cope. We help people who wish to do so, to die at home surrounded by people and an environment that they love. To be able to give people that and know that you’ve had a hand in making them comfortable and providing that dying wish is what makes me happy in my role.”