Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and Marie Curie launch first Rest Assured’ Service

A new service offered by two of Scotland’s most recognised and respected charities will, for the first time, help terminally ill young adults receive the best possible end-of-life care in the comfort of their own home.

The ‘Rest Assured’ Home Service, a partnership between Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) and Marie Curie, offers young people over the age of 16 with terminal illnesses the choice to receive care at home at the end of their life. It is the first time that such a service has been offered in Scotland.

A team comprising CHAS, a Marie Curie clinical nurse manager and a district nurse will work together with patients and their families to discuss how their needs can be met within their own home, reducing the requirement for hospital or hospice admissions.

Harry Bunch, project manager at Marie Curie, said: “Both CHAS and Marie Curie share a commitment to provide the best quality care and support for patients and their families through our hospices and our staff, at a time when it is needed most. 
 
“This new initiative will help many young people at a very difficult time in their life. By working together we can provide care packages, tailored to the individual needs of young adults, delivered within the comfort of their own home where they would most like to be.”

CHAS provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people who have life-shortening conditions. It has two hospices in Kinross and Balloch, West Dunbartonshire and cares for over 300 children and young people every year, as Babs Henderson director of care, CHAS at Home said: “Every young adult is different with unique needs and it is really important for us to provide a service that respects their wishes and expectations for the end of their life.

“By working together with Marie Curie we’re able to offer these young people greater choices and the best possible care.”

Once a young adult identifies a preference to be cared for in their own home, CHAS will contact Marie Curie and the district nurse arranging an introductory meeting with the young adult and their family to discuss their needs before preparing the best at-home care plan.
Many seriously ill people in Scotland, including young adults wish to remain at home for as long as possible in comfortable and familiar surroundings. This service will help make that possible and provide free necessary care, day and night, for patients and their families, alleviating stress and pressure at a time which is precious for all.

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