A NEW service will help people suffering from serious debilitating conditions manage their conditions at home.

Thames Hospice's new Rapid Response Service includes a year-round palliative care phone service to give people advice whenever they may need it.

The team includes a registered nurse and health care assistant ready to make urgent visits to patients on the end of life register.

The new scheme is launched during Dying Matters Week, a national campaign to highlight the importance of talking about death and bereavement.

Jacquie Batchford, Thames Hospice Director of Patient and Family Services, said: “I am delighted that we are able to offer this new service to further support those people in our community who are facing the last year of their life.

"It will be reassuring for many to know that they will be able to pick up the phone and talk to a palliative care expert, at any time of the day or night, to manage their condition and, if possible, prevent unnecessary hospital visits."

The new service is commissioned by East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group. Call 01753 848925 for more information.