During Dying Matters Awareness Week (4–10 May), we are shining a light on the outstanding work of the Emergency End of Life Response Team (EELRT), a vital service supporting people in the last weeks of life to die with dignity, compassion and choice.
Delivered in partnership with Rowans Hospice and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, the EELRT provides urgent specialist palliative care, helping people remain in their preferred place of care—whether at home, in a care home or at the hospice—while avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.
Dr Katie Jerram, Specialist Doctor in Palliative Medicine and Medical Director at Rowans Hospice, said:
“By encouraging open conversations about death and dying, EELRT has supported over 190 people in its first six months to die in their place of choice. That equates to almost 800 days and nights spent in comfort, rather than in hospital.
“The introduction of ReSPECT forms helps ensure people’s wishes are clearly recorded, so in a crisis they can be supported in the right way—often avoiding trips to an Emergency Department, with care provided at home by Hospice at Home and community teams.”
Since the multi partner service launched in September 2025, 193 patients have been supported, delivering compassionate, person centred care while saving the acute sector £549,175.
The success of the EELRT reflects the dedication and collaboration of colleagues across health and hospice services, working together to ensure the highest quality care at the end of life.