This page is a printable version of: https://www.iow.nhs.uk/our-services/community-services/end-of-life-care/end-of-life-care.htm
Date: 02 June 2023

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About Us

Palliative & End of Life Care

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is committed to providing high quality Palliative and End of Life Care for all patients and their families. The End of Life Strategy (DoH 2008) states, ‘How we care for the dying is an indicator of how we care for all sick and vulnerable people. It is a measure of society as a whole and it is a litmus test for health and social care services’. The aim of the Trust is to enable as many people as possible to live comfortably throughout life and die well in their place of choice.

Palliative care is the active, holistic care of patients with advanced progressive illness, it includes the management of pain and other symptoms as well as psychological, social and spiritual support. The goal of palliative care is to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families. End of life care is one of the core components of palliative care and is central to high quality general care, irrespective of diagnosis.

Early recognition of those who are nearing the end of life is central to having important conversations to establish individual choice regarding treatment options. How people live and die is personal; the Trust’s aim is to provide care coordinated across services to meet the individual’s needs and preferences regarding the place of care.

Ensuring that people receive good care, at the end of life, is a high priority and the Trust is continually reviewing and developing approaches to care, in line with national initiatives and local needs. Working in collaboration with key partners, for example, GPs, Social Services, Earl Mountbatten Hospice, and care agencies the Trust provides end of life care in a variety of settings including the Hospital, Residential Homes, Nursing Homes and people’s own homes.