Isle of Wight launches consultation to shape new end of life care plan

The NHS and Isle of Wight council have launched a month-long consultation process to gather thoughts and opinions on the IoW’s new end of life care strategy. The strategy aims to support the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their carers. In particular, it will enable people to die at home if they want to and if their care needs permit. The NHs also hopes that a new approach to end of life care will reduce the number of complaints that it receives from relatives. The three year strategy has received input from a wide range of sources including the IoW’s hospice, GPs, patients’ representatives, care and nursing home staff. Chief Executive of the IoW NHS Keith Flynn comments on the strategy: ‘This draft strategy sets out how we aim to meet the preferences of Islanders so more people can die in a place of their choosing. "It is our understanding many people would prefer to die somewhere other than hospital and the strategy envisages more people being able to choose.’ You can find out more about the consultation process at the Isle of Wight NHS website.