Life & Time Care, the end-of-life nursing charity, has announced its intention to expand its service area into the Mourne region comprising Atticall, Annalong, Ballymartin, Kilkeel and Longstone.

The Charity and registered nursing agency was first founded in 2018 by Dr Henry McLaughlin, supported by a dedicated voluntary committee, to provide specialist ‘end of life’ on call nursing services initially to families in Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor.

Demand grew and in 2021, the charity expanded their services to Hilltown, Rathfriland and Mayobridge delivered through a network of 46 local nurses.

This latest initiative will see the charity reach into the Mourne area further expanding their footprint of support services.

It is the charity’s aim is to support the family and patient, providing care and symptom control at home, at end of life, in line with what a patient might experience in a hospice or hospital setting. The on-call service operates from 10pm to 8am.

Dr Henry McLaughlin explains: “As awareness grows of the services we provide elsewhere; we’ve had enquiries and requests for support in the Mourne region. We’ve had some initial discussions with GPS in the region and the district nursing team and the feedback has been very positive. 

“Our model is unique; in that it is based on recruiting nurses who live in the local area so that our response rates can be most effective for our ‘on call service’. Through Life & Time, local people care for their own community, so it’s important for us to engage directly with the local community at the outset.

“We’re hosting a series of meetings in Atticall, Kilkeel and Annalong, so that people can find out more about Life & Time Care and how we can support local people in those late-night hours which can often be difficult if you are caring for a loved one at home, at end of life.”

“We’re also keen to hear from local nurses who may be interested in becoming part of our dedicated team of on call nurses,” Henry adds

Information Sessions are open to everyone and are taking place on:

9th August, Atticall GAC Social Club Room, Tullyframe road, Atticall.

24th August, Annalong Community centre, Glassdrumman Road, Annalong.

30th August, Kilmorey Arms Hotel, Greencastle road, Kilkeel.