A pioneering series recording daily life at a Kent hospice is to premier next month.

The Hospice, which focuses on the lives of patients and their families, under the care of ellenor, based in Northfleet, will screen on Together on Tuesday, May 8.

The 13-part documentary produced by Knickerbockerglory, the creators of Channel 5’s long-running series ‘GP: Behind Closed Doors’, gives viewers an opportunity to witness the incredibly therapeutic palliative care provided to people in north and west Kent by the staff and volunteers at ellenor.

The first of the hour-long episodes will broadcast at 10pm on Freeview 93, Sky 159, Virgin 269, Freesat 164 and on demand services. The series follows the deeply personal stories of both adults and children who are receiving end-of-life care both in their own homes and at the ellenor's inpatient ward in Coldharbour Road.

In the first episode Dr Nikki Rodwell meets Jill, 60, who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

With her life drawing to a close, the hospice staff agree an end of life care plan in line with Jill and her family’s wishes.

Jill said: “I knew as soon as I got diagnosed that this was the place I wanted to be. But it is not a service you tend to think about, until you actually need it.”

Another patient featured is 34-year-old David who has an autoimmune disease that has made him blind, and unable to swallow solid food.

At the hospice, as soon as he is made comfortable, his family notices an immediate change in him. He is able to enjoy a takeaway curry, shared with his family, and even have a visit from his dog.

Harriet, two, suffers from a heart condition and goes to ellenor for regular check-ups. At the hospice, the specialist facilities available in the Fun Club enable her to have respite care and to play together with her twin sister and brother in a safe environment while her parents discuss any concerns or questions they may have.

Alexander Kann, chief executive of Together said: “We are proud to be shining a light on the amazing work of the doctors, nurses, support staff and hundreds of volunteers that make ellenor’s work possible. Providing people with comfort, compassion and dignity in end-of-life and palliative care is one of the most valuable services in our society. "Hospices are at the heart of community and the public should be more aware of the amazing work hospices

like ellenor do every day.”

Claire Cardy, chief executive of ellenor said: “This documentary reminds me why I am so proud of the work that goes on at ellenor, every day, by our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. While encountering new and unique challenges they never fail to deliver an exceptional standard of care to patients and their families. I am confident that this documentary will introduce ellenor to new and varied communities who will be pleased to know that ellenor is always at hand to help them."

Serving a population of one million ellenor provides 90% of its care at home and requires £6.9 million a year to operate.

Jonathan Stadlen, managing director of Knickerbockerglory, said he came up with the idea after observing how people celebrate people coming into the world but shy away from those leaving it.

He added: "I wanted to celebrate the work done by hospices like ellenor to help people during their remaining days. ellenor had such a good reputation and a fantastic group of staff who it’s been a privilege to follow."

" I was struck by what staff said when we first came, that this isn’t a place where people come to die, but a place where they come to live. I hope the audience will come to understand that through the series, and in turn have some of their preconceptions about palliative and hospice care challenged.

"As death is the one thing guaranteed to happen to us all, I hope the series will interest everyone. I’m going to watch it with my family because I’d like them to better understand what happens at the end of life, and what amazing support there is to help us live those remaining days more fully.

"Hopefully they’ll be moved and inspired. I’ve laughed, cried and been touched by the humanity of the staff and the courage of the patients. Making this programme has made me reconsider the meaning of life. There is a lot of wisdom to be learned from those who face the prospect of death every day - and from what they have discovered to be important.

"I think many of the crew were nervous but once they spent time with patients and saw the love, care and humour they shared with staff, they quickly realised it was very different to what they thought. Watching the care given to a young girl with a terminal heart condition was one of the most moving experiences we have had."