A new care co-ordination centre has launched to support people in Wandsworth living with progressive and life-limiting illnesses.

The centre celebrated its launch at Balham library on Wednesday, May 20, as part of dying matters awareness week and more than 50 people representing the community, voluntary and health and social care organisations visited to find out how the centre would help people.

The launch also coincided with the release of Dying without Dignity, a report from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, which highlights the need to improve care for those close to the end of their lives.

The new service is funded by Wandsworth Clinical Commissioning Group and provided by Trinity Hospice, Marie Curie and St George's Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The centre will hopefully reduce inappropriate hospital admissions and allow more people to be cared for and die in a place of their choice.

Cathy Maylin, head of the care co-ordination centre, said: "I am delighted that four organisations have come together to be involved in this innovative joint venture that puts patients’ and carers’ needs first.

"The co-ordination centre will help to simplify a complex system for patients and their families, so they can spend less time dealing with different service providers and more time doing the things that matter to them."

For more information, visit trinityhospice.org.uk/care-coordination.