New advice line to make life easier for people accessing hospice care across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

A new phone line and increase of specialist clinicians will make it easier for patients, relatives and health care professionals to access palliative and end of life care advice across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

The new number is now live and is 0300 561 2900.

Specialist palliative care services are provided across the area by four organisations: Douglas Macmillan Hospice in Stoke-on-Trent; Katharine House Hospice in Stafford; St Giles Hospice near Lichfield, and Compton Care in Wolverhampton.

They currently have four different adviceline numbers which operate at different times of the day and night.

But now a partnership between the four hospices and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is launching a new dedicated telephone line that is available 24/7, providing advice, support and information to patients, relatives and healthcare professionals.

David Fletcher, Director of Care at Katharine House Hospice said: “Patients requiring palliative or end of life advice often need support at any time of the day or night and those who aren’t aware of our services can find it difficult to know which number to use.”

“This new number and additional specialist resources will make it easier for patients and healthcare professionals to obtain help and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.”

Hospices provide a variety of services, including specialist palliative care (pain and symptom management), end of life care, counselling bereavement support, and other supportive holistic services.

David added: “Patients and their families can still get in touch with hospices using existing phone numbers, but this new phone number will be an easy, additional way to reach us, whatever the hour”.

“It really is a great example of these wonderful services working collaboratively alongside the ICB to provide the very best care to patients when they need it most.”