A NEW palliative care service is being set up by the charity Richmond Crossroads for Carers. Lis Blyth has joined the charity as manager of the Macmillan Crossroads palliative care service, intended to support carers of people with cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

The service will cost over £100,000 each year to run and Macmillan Cancer Relief is providing the first three years of funding.

Lis, originally from Cheshire, was an auxiliary nurse and medical secretary before working as a manager in many NHS hospitals, including Charing Cross Hospital, London, where she helped set up a still birth support group for parents and a child development centre for mentally and physically handicapped children.

Lis then spent over 15 years as clinical manager in a hospice, dealing with referrals, admissions and the community volunteer service, helping many terminally ill patients and their families.

She explained: "I'm really pleased to have this opportunity of setting up the new Macmillan Crossroads palliative care service. There are around 20,000 carers in the borough and it is a huge responsibility looking after a loved one. During time as a carer myself, and through working with many families of patients, I know how stressful it can be and how important it is to have support.

"This service will offer carers a much needed break so they can have some time to themselves. They may want to do some shopping, meet up with a friend or just relax at home. Knowing we are looking after the person who is ill means they can relax.

"My first priority will be to recruit a team of care support workers who will visit people at home, taking over the responsibilities of the carer for a period of time. We aim to be up and running by October."

Eleanor Willett, director of Richmond Crossroads, added: "We're delighted to have appointed Lis. She has exactly the right experience and understanding for this role, and is also a trained bereavement counsellor. We help people at a time when they are feeling most vulnerable so it is important we offer can offer sensitive and professional support."

Carers can be referred through their GP, district nurse, hospital team or can contact Crossroads themselves. Lis will arrange a home visit as soon as possible to make an assessment of their needs, and allocate a care support worker. The support may range from a weekly visit of a few hours, to overnight care or daily visits, depending on individual circumstances.

Recruitment of the care support team is taking place over the summer, each worker will be expected to have nursing or care assistant experience, and a strong interest in palliative care.

Richmond Crossroads for Carers already offers respite breaks for carers but the Macmillan Crossroads palliative care scheme will allow the organisation to provide specialist support for carers of terminally ill people.

Anyone who would like more information about Crossroads can call 8831 6088.