A NEW initiative could revolutionise the way terminally ill patients are cared for.

CommuniCare NHS Trust is to introduce a 12 month "Hospice at Home" pilot scheme for people with cancer living in Blackburn and Darwen.

Research has revealed that 50 per cent of patients would rather die at home amongst loved ones and in familiar surroundings than in a hospital bed.

A voluntary sit-in service, respite at home and 24 hour care will be the three new services on offer.

The Trust hopes the scheme will help to reduce the number of admissions where death occurs within 48 hours.

A spokesperson for CommuniCare said: "We feel the scheme will offer patients and their family or carer a real choice in care by providing additional help and support in the home during their illness."

To be eligible for the pilot scheme patients must live in Blackburn or Darwen, be over18, be diagnosed as having cancer, in the terminal phase of their illness, and with no medical reason to be away from hospital.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.