Southern Area Hospice Marks One Year of its Out of Hours On-Call Nursing Service at Home

The service has enabled 47 patients to be cared for in their preferred place in their final days  

Southern Area Hospice (SAH) is marking the one-year anniversary of its Out of Hours (OOH) On-Call Nursing Service which provides end-of-life care to patients who have a cancer diagnosis, 365 days a year. 

Launched in July 2023, the service has supported 47 patients and their families. The service helps with symptom management for the patient as well as offering advice and reassurance to the patient’s family and loved ones. SAH nurses are available on-call to support by telephone or can come to patients’ homes. 

The service employs a team of Hospice nurses and has been rolled out in the BT35 postcode and greater Newry City area. It is an additional resource working alongside and in partnership with the voluntary sector and Southern Health and Social Care Trust partner agencies for palliative patients who are at the end of life. The service operates on an on-demand basis and this year was accessed 238 nights by 47 patients. 

Feedback from families has been very encouraging with 100% reporting: 

Bernie Farrell, Community Services Manager at SAH said: “The Out of Hours On-Call Nursing Service is provided in the person’s home delivering nursing care, advice, reassurance and symptom management for patients who are in the last days of their lives. Families often describe feelings of vulnerability, isolation and fear during the nighttime period when there are limited services available. Our service ensures that they have access to a highly skilled hospice nurse during the darkest and most challenging hours of their lives.”  

A family member who was supported by the Out of Hours On-Call Nursing Service said: 

“I don’t know what I would have done without this amazing service, the nurse that was with us when Dad died was amazing and supported us. I don’t know how I can thank the Hospice enough.”  

Another family member said: 

“We couldn’t have done without the nurse. One night she was out four times. She seemed to be there in minutes and knew exactly what to do. I felt so supported.”