More patients are to get expert help from hospice charity ellenor after health bosses asked them to lead a pioneering project.

Ellenor will expand its work in local care homes after being asked to lead the innovative scheme to increase support for palliative patients in the community.

Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group picked ellenor having recognised its sterling work with care home staff over the past five years, offering them support, guidance and training to best look after their residents.

Under the new project, ellenor’s dedicated care homes team will be expanded to provide direct support in all nursing homes in the local area, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Jacquie Hackett, director of care at the hospice charity, said: “Being chosen to lead on this project is hugely exciting and very positive for us, as it places ellenor firmly at the forefront of palliative and end-of-life care locally.

“It is a significant achievement to be recognised in this way by NHS commissioners.”

The project will also see ellenor expand its work with the ambulance service to establish a direct link into ellenor’s inpatient ward, as an alternative to hospital A&E.

“Being chosen to lead on this project is hugely exciting and very positive for us, as it places ellenor firmly at the forefront of palliative and end-of-life care locally" Jacquie Hackett

GP practices in the area will work closely with ellenor to ensure that their palliative patients, who may not be aware of the charity’s work, can be directed to it and supported.

In addition, a specialist nurse from ellenor will also be working with the out-of- hours service, IC24, to identify the issues palliative patients and providers face overnight and at weekends when GP surgeries are closed.

Due to the increased responsibilities, ellenor is now actively recruiting additional nursing staff to help, particularly for its Care Home Support team.

Anyone interested in applying should call 01474 320007.