A WORCESTER hospice has thrown its support behind a national campaign raising awareness of the role hospices play in caring for people at the end of their lives.

As part of Hospice Care Week, which starts on Monday, October 11, the Worcester-based organisation will be giving people a look into the work it does on a daily basis.

Although hospices are often seen as places people only go to spend their final days, St Richard’s Hospice cares for the majority of its patients in their own homes over many months.

The organisation recently expanded its specialist nursing team by recruiting a secondary breast care nurse, Lynne Colbourne, who will work closely with the oncology team at Worcestershire Royal Hospital to ensure patients get the best possible care.

In what is one of the first projects in the country to coordinate care in this way, Ms Colbourne will provide a link between the patient and everyone involved in their care as well as offering them support and advice.

“The service is very new and we are evolving and adapting as we better understand how patients want to be able to use the service,” she said.

“At the moment we are asking patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer their views so that we can design a service that best meets their needs.”

St Richard’s chief executive Mark Jackson said he and his colleagues were delighted to join more than 100 other hospices across the country in the campaign.

“We will be encouraging our supporters to share their stories and memories of hospice care, especially through social media, to help spread the word that hospice care can help connect patients with others in similar situations, connect bereaved families and connect healthcare professionals to ensure that patients get the best possible coordinated care,” he said.

Hospice Care Week began in 2011 and last year more than 75 per cent of hospices in the UK took part.

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care and support for more than 2,600 patients living with life-threatening illnesses and their families every year.

The charity runs a day hospice as well as a 24-hour, 17-bed inpatient unit in Wildwood Drive, Worcester.

For more information call 01905 763 963 or visit www.strichards.org.uk.