REACHING out to more people, more of the time, is the aim of a new service at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

The launch of the Mountbatten Coordination Centre heralds a change in the way people can receive help.

GPs are now able to refer patients who are likely to be in the last five years of life, whereas the hospice previously got involved in the final year of life expectancy.

This means up to 5,000 extra people on the Island could access the service.

Additionally, a 24/7 phoneline will be manned, offering advice and support to those under hospice outreach care, whereas previously they had to rely on the 111 service out of hours.

Nigel Hartley, hospice chief executive, said: "This is a big deal for us as it means we will reach a lot more people. Most people who die over a long period of time do not get much support until the last year, so we are looking to reach those people and get them assessed by a nurse so we can get a plan in place.

"Having the 24/7 helpline will give people peace of mind and reassurance that there is advice and support whenever they most need it."

The new service is specifically for people on the Island living with any illness which may be life-threatening and which may limit life expectancy to the next five years, or less, and any older person living with increasing frailty.

Those referred to the centre will have their information added to the Share My Care register, an electronic record of their decisions and preferences with regards to their care.

With the person's permission, this can be accessed by the professionals responsible, at any time of the day or night, so people can be confident everyone looking after them knows their wishes.

The centre has been funded initially for two years, through the Island's My Life a Full Life model of care, and the Daisy Foundation.

There are currently four new members of office staff and three nurses working for the centre.