BHR – The Marie Curie Rapid Response Overnight nursing service

The Marie Curie Rapid Response Overnight nursing service, which was introduced as a pilot scheme in February 2022, ended on 31 March 2024.

The pilot, which provided additional overnight urgent care and support to people at the end of life and their families, was identified as part of the overall service and transformation development for end of life care across Barking, Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge in 2018. As our transformation work recommenced post-Covid, the pilot launched, but has not had the impact we had initially hoped for with other local services covering a lot of the overnight support required.

People requiring end of life support will continue to have access to the local overnight district nursing services and a 24/7 nurse led advice line (for patients, carers and professionals), along with other Marie Curie services that remain unchanged. This means that Marie Curie continue to provide planned care at home overnight in Barking, Havering and Dagenham, while Redbridge planned overnight care is provided by the community palliative care team provided by the London Borough of Redbridge. Marie Curie also provide a support line, which is available for anyone who needs it with trained support line officers who can offer practical, financial, and clinical information, and emotional support.

We have been working with Marie Curie and the local end of life services to ensure continuity of care for any patients who require any ongoing support.

Our work to improve end of life care services across north east London is ongoing. Currently, a specific focus is being placed on services in Waltham Forest and Redbridge due to the redevelopment of Whipps Cross Hospital, however this work is already highlighting opportunities for improvements to services that will benefit residents across the whole of north east London.

Please note the below details for extended hours services, the hospice advice line and district nursing for any future situations requiring urgent care and support for those needing end of life care.