A new pilot scheme helping support residents in a Wandsworth nursing home with their advanced care plans has been launched by Marie Curie.

In a shared decision-making process between the resident and a nurse at The Pines nursing home, a Coordinate My Care Plan is created and then digitally shared with all urgent care services ensuring that everyone knows how, when and where to manage the resident in times of need.

The first stage of the pilot, run in partnership with Coordinate My Care (CMC), Wandsworth CCG, Sutton End of Life Care Team and the Health Innovation Network, the Academic Health Science Network for South London, has been taking place over the last few weeks with the nursing hours being fully funded by Marie Curie.

Marie Curie Nurse, Wendy Hutchinson, has been spending time with residents at a nursing home in Wandsworth to discuss their wishes, preferences and plans for end of life care with the support of a care home nurse and GP Faye Woolerton, who will add the clinical information, including resuscitation decisions if appropriate, and the medications.

CMC is an NHS database which shares information between healthcare providers including NHS 111 and London Ambulance Service, to ensure that people’s wishes are acknowledged when they are in an urgent care situation or are approaching the end of life.

Wendy, who has worked as a nurse for over 20 years, said: “I’ve been working with the nursing home staff and the local GP, ensuring meetings and conversations are had with all 35 residents to help avoid unnecessary trips to hospital.

“What is immediately evident from interviewing people so far, is that all say they want to avoid dying in hospital. By speaking with people now, when they are in a position to express their thoughts both with us and their families, means that everything is in place for the future. A lot of the people I’ve spoken with, when mentioning end of life, talk about their funerals. However, it is the stage of life just before this where people seem to not put as much planning into.

“Choosing where you might like to be cared for, to arrangements for a family pet, can give you peace of mind to have thought ahead. It can also ease stress for your loved ones, as they’ll know your wishes. Even if you’re not approaching the end of your life, you can still plan ahead and it can be helpful if there’s a time in the future when you aren’t able to tell people what you want.”

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. The charity offers expert nursing care, guidance and support to help people get the most from the time they have left. If you’ve got questions about terminal illness or simply want someone to talk to, call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/help.