Hospices join together to launch a 24-hour care advice line

St Giles is one of the four hospices sharing the new advice line

Patients and relatives of those needing palliative care can receive advice any day or night as hospices launch a 24-hour care line.

Dougie Mac, Katharine House, St Giles, and Compton Care all provide services across Staffordshire and Wolverhampton.

"Patients requiring palliative or end-of-life advice often need support at any time of the day or night," said David Fletcher from Katharine House.

Their new, shared 24/7 number is 0300 561 2900.

People previously could find it difficult to know which number to use as all four hospices had different lines.

The hospices have worked with Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board to establish the dedicated advice line, which can be used by patients, relatives and healthcare professionals.

Each hospice will still be contactable on their existing phone numbers.

The new round-the-clock advice line, along with an increase in specialist clinicians, will mean "the very best care to patients when they need it most," said Mr Fletcher.