End of Life rapid response team

Patient Information Leaflet

Urgent Community Response End of Life Team

The team offer a seven day week service from 8am – 6pm. Contact number: 01384 322 367 (Everyday, 8am – 5.30pm)

A member of the Clinical Hub team will answer your call and may ask for further details.

Out of hours contact number: 01384 456111 (5.30pm – 8am) and ask for the Out of Hours District Nurses.

Who are the Urgent Community Response End of Life Team

The Urgent Community Response End of Life Team undertake home visits to those patients identified as nearing the end of their life. Whether that is, daily or in a time of crisis, in order for the patients to achieve their preferred place of care. They bridge the gap between specialist palliative care services and the district nursing teams.

Referrals are accepted for all patients diagnosed with a life-limiting illness that are considered likely to be in the last few days of life.

Referred patients must also be registered with a GP within the Dudley Borough.

Referrals are accepted from any healthcare professional, with each referral considered according to individual needs.

How can we help you?

We work to improve the experience of patients in their last days of life by:

• Offering advice, practical support and suggestions to help you and your family.
• Signposting you, carers and professionals to services that provide care, advice and equipment.
• Coordinating referrals to the specialist palliative care team if your symptoms or needs become complex and/or difficult to
• Ensuring you and your family have access to services that provide support and advice in a crisis.
• Co-ordinating services to ensure care packages are in place when you need them.

Our partners

Mary Stevens Hospice / Compton Hospice

These hospices are inpatient facilities designed to provide the best possible care and comfort for all residents. The units accept patients who are aged 18 or above and suffering from life-limiting illnesses.

Patients may stay for a few days and nights to have their symptoms controlled and their condition stabilised before returning home, while others are cared for during the final stages of their illness.

Round-the-clock medical and nursing care is provided by the dedicated team.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie is a charitable organisation offering support to families in their own homes, predominantly overnight, on a priority needs basis. Up to three nights per week can be requested, however, this is dependent on the availability of the voluntary staff.

References and useful websites

• https://www.marystevenshospice.co.uk/
• https://www.comptoncare.org.uk/
• https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Roxanne Taylor. Date originated: August 2021. Review date: May 2024. Version: 1. DGH ref: DGH/PIL/02154.