A HOSPICE that provides specialist palliative care to people in the district is expanding its community services.

The Manorlands Sue Ryder hospice, in Oxenhope, near Keighley, is developing its provision to enable more people to be cared for – and spend their final days – in their own homes.

The initiative is being supported through Sue Ryder's national charity partnership with Bradford-based supermarket giant Morrisons.

"We are working closely with other local organisations to ensure people can access a range of services able to respond to their personal care needs," said Manorlands hospice director, Lizzie Procter.

"We have looked at how we can bring the expertise of hospice care directly into people's homes.

"Our community nurse specialists provide a seven-day service and in the past few months we have extended our complementary and occupational therapy and physiotherapy services.

"These can help people to keep or improve their physical and emotional wellbeing.

"The team is able to respond more rapidly as people's conditions change to meet their personal care needs in the right place, at the right time, in the right way.

"Recently we have increased our medical team to help support more people at home."

The services assist people with their mobility, skills and confidence, and to cope with symptoms.

They can also help patients to continue with hobbies and interests and plan for the future.

Andy Gill has been appointed a speciality doctor for Manorlands and with colleagues, is working to provide more specialist care and support for patients – and their families – in their homes.

An 'end of life facilitator' has also been recruited to work with teams across Airedale, Wharfedale, Craven, Bingley, Eldwick, Cullingworth and Wilsden, identifying and supporting people in their final year.

And another new team member is palliative neurological community nurse specialist, Tina Hayton.

She is offering support and advice to healthcare professionals, people living with neurological conditions, their families and carers.

Last year, Manorlands community nurse specialists carried out over 2,795 home visits, nearly 200 people attended the hospice's day therapy unit and the bereavement team received more than 1,380 phone calls.

Visit sueryder.org/manorlands for more details about the services.

Care is provided free by Manorlands but every year the hospice needs to raise £1.6 million through its own efforts and donations just to maintain services.

Businesses, groups and individuals are invited to organise fundraising activities or support some of the many events staged by the hospice.

And people can donate £3 by texting MANOR to 70123.

Collections and bag packing are taking place at Morrisons stores on Friday, October 9.

Anyone interested in helping is asked to contact the Manorlands fundraising team on 01535 640430.