Harrogate End of Life Planning and Support Service (HELPSS)

Harrogate End of Life Planning and Support Service (HELPSS) is for people who are living with a palliative diagnosis and may be approaching the last year of life. It aims to support patients to get the type of care that they want, at the time it is needed and in the place that is preferred.

What is HELPSS?

The Harrogate End of Life Planning and Support Service (HELPSS) is being led by the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Saint Michael’s Hospice, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Macmillan Cancer Support and Social Finance.

HELPSS will:

  • Improve identification of patients who may be in the last year of life in the Harrogate locality.
  • Improve access to advance/future care planning for those with a palliative diagnosis who may be in the last year of life.
  • Provide access to Goldline, a 24/7 telephone service for patients who may be in the last year of life and their carers

These initiatives will ensure that patients who may be in the last year of life in Harrogate are proactively identified and can access the support they need.

Saint Michael’s Hospice will provide the service to improve access to, and recording of high-quality advance/future care plans including treatment escalation and emergency care plans.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust will provide a 24/7 telephone service offering access to clinical help, support and advice for patients who have been identified as approaching their last year of life and their carers. Goldline – Airedale NHS Foundation Trust (airedale-trust.nhs.uk)

Macmillan Cancer Support, through its partnership with Social Finance, has provided £2,636,000 of up-front funding for HELPSS.  Social Finance are experts in social investment and have been working with Macmillan, through the Macmillan End of Life Care Fund, to find new and innovative ways to improve services supporting people at the end of their lives.

For more information contact [email protected]

Download the patient information leaflet

Electronic Palliative Care Co-ordination System (EPaCCs)

Identifying patients who may be in the last year of life is an important step in providing good quality care. Locally, this is done through a system called the Electronic Palliative Care Co-ordination System (EPaCCs).

Click here for details about EPaCCs.