New service to provide support at night

Six new healthcare assistants will work with district nurses from 9pm to 6am each night, providing care and support to patients and their families who are in crisis.

The service,  will focus on caring for patients who are at the end of life and require additional support. It will also respond to patients who become unwell during the night to prevent them from being admitted to hospital, as well as working with hospitals to prepare patients for discharge the following day.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with Rochdale Borough Council to provide the service.

Shirley Fisher, Integrated Adult Nursing Services Manager for Pennine Care, said: “We want to ensure that our most vulnerable patients, such as those with a terminal illness, feel supported to stay at home. Whilst services are easily accessible during the day, patients and families can become more anxious at night and if things take a turn for the worse they often decide to attend A&E or dial 999. By creating this additional support during the night, we hope to alleviate concerns and ensure patients receive the care they need 24/7.”

Sheila Downey, Executive Director for Adult Care at Rochdale Borough Council said: “This new night support service will make sure vulnerable people in the borough are better supported to remain at home, crises are averted and hospital admissions are avoided. The service is part of our overall plans for health and social care to work more closely together, utilising resources more effectively and providing better outcomes for service users, carers and families.”

For more information about this service, speak to your district nurse, health professional or GP.