A SCHEME to help terminally ill patients and their carers in their own homes has been launched in Sedgefield.

The borough-wide Hospice at Home scheme, made up of support workers and volunteers, provides basic personal care to patients, a rest for carers and emotional support to the family of terminally ill patients.

The scheme is a partnership between Sedgefield Primary Care Group (PCG), South Durham Health Care NHS Trust, Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre and the Butterwick Hospice at Bishop Auckland.

The initiative has been running in Darlington since January 1999 and was launched earlier this year in the Dales.

In the past year in Darlington it has provided 8,500 hours of care and in the last six months, terminally ill patients in the Dales have received 3,000 hours of care, resulting in more than 1,760 visits to patients.

All referrals to the service must come through the district nursing service because Hospice at Home complements the care they provide.

Elaine Isham, South Durham Hospice at Home Co-ordinator, said: "The Hospice at Home scheme aims to offer high quality care and support to patients and their carers in the comfort of their own homes.

"The Hospice at Home support workers and volunteers have been trained to a high standard and offer basic practical and emotional support to both patients and carers.

"People can't continue caring over a 24-hour period, it is just not possible, and I would say that 90 per cent of the workload is for overnight so the carers can get some sleep."

Dr Dinah Roy, who chairs the Sedgefield PCG, said: "This is an excellent example of local organisations working together to offer a much- needed service to local people."

Christine Laskey, of the Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre, said the group was looking for more volunteers for the services the group provided.

She said: "We are getting to people in their own homes so the patient does not have to go to hospital.

"We are there just to provide that extra support for the carers if they need somebody just to sit with the patient when they need a break."

Anyone who would like to volunteer can contact the centre on (01325) 313123