St Clare Hospice’s Hospice at Home team is celebrating receiving its 2500th referral to the service since opening in January 2014.

The team of registered nurses and assistants provide free, short-term care for people with life-limiting illnesses in the comfort of their own home, across West Essex.

Every year the Hospice at Home team provide support for more than 450 families.

Sonia Haigh, hospice at home manager, said: “Our team has worked so hard over the past four years and we are delighted to have been able to support so many hundreds of patients and their families.

"We have consistently achieved our target of responding to all referrals within 2 working hours, and it is fantastic to have responded to a grand total of more than 2,500 referrals.

“The Hospice at Home team is available to work closely with local GPs, District Nurses, social and voluntary sector professionals to make sure patients receive co-ordinated care.

"Hospice at Home care can help to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, provide short-term care for rapid discharge from hospital while awaiting a care package, and provide hands-on compassionate care in the last weeks of a person’s life in the comfort of their own home.”

Referrals can be made by all health, social and voluntary care professionals, including GPs, district nurses, clinical nurse specialists, social care or hospital teams.

Also, patients, their family or carer can refer themselves directly.

Download a referral form from www.stclarehospice.org.uk/care/healthcare-professionals or by emailing SCLHO.referrals@nhs.net