Local palliative care charity Compton Care has received a prestigious innovation award at the national Hospice UK conference, which took place in Glasgow earlier this week for the introduction of its 24-hour Rapid Response service.

The awards, celebrating the pioneering work taking place in hospices and palliative care organisations across the UK, recognises the efforts and lasting impact of those involved in the sector. Judges were searching for stand-out projects designed to inspire other hospices.

Compton Care, which provides tailored care and support to people in the region affected by incurable illnesses, won the category for ‘Innovation in Care’ for developing a dynamic and highly responsive community palliative care service in Wolverhampton. Known as Rapid Response, the service has been greatly benefitting patients throughout the community by assessing and managing urgent situations, all hours of the day and night, helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and ensure a health care expert can be in attendance within two hours at night.

The project, which is made up of a multi-disciplinary team including clinical nurse specialists, paramedics, health care assistants and medics employed by the charity, was developed over a three-year period. The Rapid Response service has successfully maximised Compton Care’s impact for individuals requiring palliative care at home.

Initial results show a 34% increase on the number of patients able to receive the care and support they needed at home rather than going into hospital, in line with their wishes. Compton Care’s CEO Rachel Overfield said:

“2022 saw record-breaking number of patients cared for by Compton, and in part, this is due to the expansion of our Rapid Response service. We are delighted to receive a Hospice UK award in recognition of this innovative new way that we are continuing to provide exceptional care tailored to the individual’s needs. 

“Our responsive and reactive approach to palliative care has become a lifeline for so many of our patients and their families, supporting patients to remain in their own homes if preferred and preventing hospital admissions.

"I am so proud of the whole team for their hard work and dedication. The difference they are making to the experiences of people living with incurable conditions and their loved ones in their time of greatest need is immense. This is what drives us all at Compton Care to keep finding new ways we can continue to provide medical, emotional, spiritual and psychological support.”

For more information about Compton Care and the free services it provides, visit comptoncare.org.uk or call 01902 774570