New Rapid Response Nursing Service for terminally ill people in Darlington

Two charities have teamed up to offer an innovative new service which ensures that people in Darlington living with a terminal or life limiting illness get nursing care in their place of choice.

The Darlington Community Rapid Response Team, developed by Marie Curie Cancer Care and St Teresa’s Hospice, provides palliative nurses who can respond to patients in the community, within an hour of their call, to manage their care and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

The service, which is supported by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, also provides discharge support for patients from hospital or hospice and ensures a speedy transfer to their preferred place of care, with the support they need to remain there.

The team of Marie Curie Registered Nurses and St Teresa’s Hospice Home Healthcare Assistants are available 24/7, 365 days a year to make sure that the people of Darlington can access the right care, when and where they need it. 

Karen Torley, Area Nursing Manager for Marie Curie Cancer Care, said:
“This partnership is an excellent example of how, in the tough economic climate, charities can pool both expertise and resources to deliver an innovative service that will really benefit local people at the end of their lives.

“Marie Curie has long campaigned for people to be looked after in their place of choice, and this project does exactly that.  The team have already had lots of referrals and provided care for people in their own homes and local care homes, preventing unnecessary admissions to hospital, and long may this continue.”

Hospice Director Jane Bradshaw said:
“I think I speak for both St Teresa’s Hospice and for Marie Curie Cancer Care when I say how excited we are to be part of this wonderful new service. The Rapid Response Team has been welcomed by patients and carers in this community, and we are confident that it’s going to prove to be an invaluable resource.”

To access the service at any time, please call 07720 947 430. If staff are unavailable, please leave a message and they will return all calls.

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