Nightingale House has marked two years of a successful partnership which has transformed the delivery of care for patients at the hospice.

In 2022, Nightingale House formed a new partnership with Supportive Care UK to provide consultant cover across the hospice and full virtual support to their in-house medical team. This innovative model sees Nightingale House doctors, GPs, nurses, and therapists all work alongside specialist palliative care consultants to provide patient-led treatment to the local community, and means the medical and healthcare professionals are discussing the treatment of individual patients every day. Prior to the partnership the hospice had relied solely upon the local health board, BCUHB, for Consultant input.

Professor Matt Makin was Medical Director at Nightingale House Hospice between 2001-2009 and is now the Medical Director of Supportive Care UK, has been instrumental in aligning the two services to ensure an excellent patient experience.

Professor Makin said: “Nightingale House has been serving the population of Wrexham and surrounding areas for nearly thirty years providing innovative and high quality palliative care services, integrated into the wider health and care system of North Wales.

“It’s been a privilege for us at Supportive Care to partner with the hospice to ensure that their clinical teams can access reliable Consultant advice, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This innovative model has seen the clinical team develop in confidence, strengthened clinical governance and ensured that patients can be supported by highly trained professionals when they need them most.”

In a joint statement, Medical Director Melissa Everett and Director of Clinical and Patient Services Tracy Thomas said: “The Medical and Clinical Teams work very closely with the SCUK Consultants. There are twice weekly board rounds, bespoke weekly training sessions and a 24/7 advice line. The level of experience and expertise provided by Jonathan, Richard and the other SCUK consultants is very high and we value the service and support they provide. They are always friendly and approachable when contacted for advice or at the board round. Richard also provides a monthly clinical supervision session for each of the doctors, which they find invaluable.”

Steve Parry, CEO of Nightingale House, added: “The hospice is delighted with the high standard of consultant cover provided by Supportive Care UK. The support that they provide, combined with the hospice’s in-house medical team, enables Nightingale House to offer outstanding palliative care to patients in our community who are living with life-limiting illnesses.

“This partnership ensures that Nightingale House has access to the very best Consultant support, helping us to sustain a strong model for the future delivery of patient services.”