With most people wishing to die peacefully in their own home*, St Luke’s care at home teams are dedicated to making this a reality for Tavistock residents by working in partnership with other local healthcare professionals.
St Luke’s is leading end of life care in Tavistock, collaborating with GPs, Livewell Southwest district nurses, Tavistock Hospital and Brentor and Moor Compassionate Neighbours. The St Luke’s at home team supports people to remain in the comfort of their homes, reducing unnecessary journeys to Plymouth hospitals and ensuring they receive the care they need in the last months, weeks and days of life.
Derek Hart, St Luke’s specialist nurse for the area, gives support, guidance and medical care to terminally ill patients. He wants to see that, wherever possible, patients are cared for where they want to be. Derek says, “We ensure care is coordinated with other healthcare professionals, with effective communication, using resources more efficiently but also giving a higher standard of end of life care.”
Derek’s visits take him throughout Tavistock and the surrounding area, almost half being in rural places including Princetown, Bere Alston, Mary Tavy and Lifton. Although most patients are seen at home, he also works closely with Livewell Southwest staff at Tavistock Hospital, local care homes and agencies and has received funding from The Burdett Trust to facilitate end of life care at Dartmoor prison.
However, what Derek and his team provide goes beyond hands-on care. A key part is encouraging conversations around advanced care planning, working closely with Brentor and Moor Compassionate Neighbours to help communities come together in care provision. For more information visit: www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/compassionatecommunities.
Derek says, “A rural area means it can feel difficult for some patients to access support, so they become more reliant on family. With an ageing population it’s important we help find new support networks for residents, so we work to educate carers and other healthcare professionals. In doing so we are helping to develop compassionate communities, giving everyone a responsibility when it comes to end of life care.”
Derek concludes, “We are constantly adapting our provision to meet the needs of the community. End of life care is high on the agenda in Tavistock and I believe we are making a real difference here.”
For more information and to watch a short video, visit www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk/tavistock.
*Research from Dying Matters, www.dyingmatters.org