A FILM showcases the work of a Worcester hospice nursing team who provide 'tailor made' care at home.

St Richard’s Hospice has launched a new film about the care and support offered to patients and families by the community nursing team.

Vanessa Gibson, community nursing team manager, said:“If I had one message it's this: don't be scared of us, we are here to help.

"We are about life and living."

The aim of the film is to help address the lack of understanding about the community nursing team and the care and support they can offer.

It was particularly aimed at reducing anxiety and fear which people may feel about hospice care.

The film also raises awareness of the fact that St Richard’s cares for patients with all life-limiting illnesses, not just cancer by featuring a patient living with Parkinson’s Disease.

In 2014/15 1,250 patients were supported by the St Richard’s Nurse Specialists in their own home and community.

The team works closely with GPs and the community healthcare teams to ensure patients receive high quality, co-ordinated care.

The hospice at home team works alongside the nurse specialists to provide care to enable patients to remain at home for as long as possible.

The team offers support including crisis intervention, support to those living alone, additional pre-admission and post discharge support and carer support.

One carer featured in the film, Tricia Thomas said: “As we wanted to be at home as much as possible, the St Richard’s hospice at home service was absolutely tailor made for what we wanted.

"We were introduced by the Parkinson’s nurse of the area.

"St Richard’s understands the demands of this debilitating illness and worked with us in a way in which we feel that we’re in control, as much as we want to be, and we can talk about anything.

"There’s time to talk about how you help the person understand what is going on for them and to be able to deal with it.”

The community nursing team film – Caring for life – is the fourth in a series of videos exploring the care St Richard’s offers to patients and families.

The others are Welcome to Day Hospice, Welcome to the In-patient Unit and Supporting Families.

The films can all be viewed on the St Richard’s Hospice website, www.strichards.org.uk