Just over £270,000 has been awarded to Paul Sartori Hospice at Home for the Future Care Planning Service by the National Lottery.

The large grant specifically supports the charity’s Future Care Planning Service who work with individuals, their families and/or carers, and professionals to facilitate conversations and document preferences. Serious illness, sudden trauma/injury and ageing bring challenges that many of us prefer not to think about. At the same time, many of us fear loss of control about decisions relating to our healthcare.

The funding will enable the Service to develop and increase the understanding of future care planning within the Pembrokeshire community over three years; to carry out community awareness sessions; lead more training to healthcare professionals and develop resources including a new bilingual online training portal.

Having a designated team to provide health planning for the future not only supports the patient but enables health and social care providers to carry out the wishes of the individual.

Paul Sartori Future Care Planning Lead Fay Morley has been campaigning on this subject locally and nationally for a number of years. Support has been gathered from a wide variety of professionals who recognise the importance of individuals recording their future care wishes and how this can improve the efficiencies of other services.

With over 10 years’ experience in this field, the Paul Sartori Future Care Planning Team works collaboratively and in partnership with GPs, Health Board staff, social care providers and other organisations and groups. Referrals are accepted from individuals, and from all areas of health and social care professions.

National Lottery Community Fund wales Director John Rose said: “We are proud to be funding Paul Sartori Hospice at Home to support those who need care with a range of services and a 24/7 On-Call Facility. Thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million a week for good causes, the charity can continue to expand their Future Care Planning Service, which is so important to the local community."

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provides a variety of services to patients with life limiting illnesses and their families/carers. The charity’s services include end-of-life home nursing care, complementary therapy, bereavement, and counselling support, physiotherapy, future care planning and training. These services are supported by the 24/7 on-call facility, and a standby service available for those who do not yet need hands-on care.