Marie Curie launches end-of-life care in East Barnet hospital ED

A specialist palliative care team has been introduced at North Middlesex University Hospital in East Barnet. Marie Curie launched the service within the hospital's emergency department to improve end-of-life care for patients admitted through this route. The initiative aims to identify individuals with palliative needs at an earlier stage, assist with clinical decisions, and arrange suitable care to ensure dignity in their final days.

Project Details and Early Impact

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This two-year project is being delivered in collaboration with the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. The team comprises two palliative care consultants, a clinical fellow, Marie Curie nurses, and healthcare assistants. In the first six months of operation, the team supported 280 patients. Of these, 73 per cent had not previously received palliative care.

Dr Antke Hagena, Marie Curie Consultant and Department Lead for Palliative Care at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, stated that many individuals nearing the end of life rely on emergency services during crises because they are not known to palliative care services. This can lead to delays in receiving optimal care, causing distress to patients, families, and staff. Dr Hagena noted that integrated palliative care expertise has already demonstrated a significant positive impact on the experiences of emergency department patients at end of life and their families. She expressed anticipation for expanding the service with additional Marie Curie colleagues.

To broaden the service's reach, two Marie Curie nurses and two healthcare assistants have recently joined the emergency department team. Gem Davies, head of nursing and quality at Marie Curie, highlighted the need for planned and compassionate support for patients at the end of life. She explained that embedding palliative care experts in the emergency department allows for faster identification of patients and the provision of appropriate care plans, which can also help reduce unnecessary hospital admissions in the final months of life. Ms Davies described the service as innovative and expressed pride in being part of it.

Vicky Jones, medical director at North Middlesex University Hospital, described the project as highly important and capable of making a substantial difference for patients near the end of life in the emergency department. She confirmed that hospital teams will work closely with the Marie Curie team to ensure patients and their families receive compassionate care and support in the most suitable setting.

What Happens Next

The service is planned to continue for a total of two years. Further expansion of the team has recently occurred with the addition of two Marie Curie nurses and two healthcare assistants to enhance its reach within the emergency department.