New Partnership to Improve Local Palliative and End-of-Life Care

NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (NHS BOB ICB) has teamed up with the charity Sue Ryder to improve how palliative and end-of-life care is provided across our area.

This new seven-year partnership (with the option to extend for another three) is a big step forward in making sure everyone can access the care and support they need at the end of life, whether that’s at home, in the community, or in a hospice.

Starting in January 2026, Sue Ryder will lead on delivering a new joined-up service for people in Reading, Wokingham, Newbury, and South Oxfordshire. The focus will be on making care more personal, better coordinated, and available when and where it’s needed most.

What will be new?

The new service will include:

• A Single Point of Access for easier referrals and support.

• A Rapid Response Team offering urgent help for people at the end of life.

• A Virtual Ward Service so more people can be cared for at home.

• Expanded Community Nursing and Hospice at Home support, including a new Berkshire West team.

• Access to inpatient hospice beds for specialist care.

• Therapy and day services, plus a dedicated Lymphoedema Service for Berkshire West.

• A 24/7 clinical advice line for patients, families, and carers.

• Comprehensive bereavement and wellbeing support for families.

  
  

All of this will be delivered by Sue Ryder’s team of nurses, doctors, therapists, carers, and volunteers.

What this means for local people

This is a positive move towards more joined-up, compassionate care, helping people live as well as possible, and die with dignity and choice.

Healthwatch West Berks will continue to follow this development closely and share updates as the new service rolls out.