Bringing comfort and compassion at the end of life
It was just five months before his planned release from HMP Littlehey that Paul* suffered a serious stroke and was given only weeks to live.
In other circumstances, this would have led to the upheaval of multiple healthcare appointments outside of prison to add to an already traumatic experience.
But thanks to the NHFT palliative care service at Littlehey, he was able to get the specialist care, support and medication he needed within the prison setting.
Eventually, Paul was supported with a compassionate release and died peacefully, in line with his wishes, at home.
Many other people like Paul are receiving the same dedicated support from NHFT to give them independence and choice at the end of their lives.
The Trust's palliative care service is based at Littlehey in Cambridgeshire and is also offered at other prison settings where NHFT provides healthcare services: HMP Bedford, HMP Peterborough, HMP Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire, HMP Woodhill near Milton Keynes, and Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre in Bedfordshire.
It is led by Consultant Dr Annelise Matthews and Clinical Nurse Specialist Maria O'Neill, who have worked tirelessly to develop the service over several years.
With an ageing population at Littlehey in particular, their care is making a difference to the lives of more people than ever before.
The impact of the service is attracting national recognition, with an ongoing independent review of prison healthcare requesting more information from the team as an example of good practice.
Maria also collected Care Talk magazine's Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing Award in 2024.
Maria said: "This service has helped many of our patients have symptoms controlled, choose to where they would like to die, and have their wishes heard. I have created a monthly cancer support group offering peer support as well as medical access, and the group feel very well supported and not as isolated as they might."
Annelise added: "It is a privilege to work in such a unique environment with prisoners, their families and officers, as well as healthcare. The prison population is ageing and growing, so increasing the need for palliative care. I am particularly proud of our work in the writing of the Dying Well Custody Charter and being the first to implement it."
Royal visit focuses on Littlehey support
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, visited HMP Littlehey earlier this year where she spoke to Maria O'Neill and colleagues from NHFT about the healthcare services they deliver at the prison.
The Princess Royal is the Royal patron of the Butler Trust, a charity supporting the rehabilitation and social inclusion of offenders and crime prevention. During her visit she chatted with Maria about the palliative care programme, as well as with Helen Burr, Head of Specialist, Secured and Clinical Services for NHFT at HMP Littlehey, and Maxine Shaw, Deputy Head of Specialist and Secured Services and Mental Health Team Manager.
Maria said: "Many Royals visit hospitals, hospices and community settings, but prisons can often be overlooked. Princess Anne, I feel, reaches out to all people and it was not only a privilege to see and have a conversation with her, but we were honoured that she has taken the time to see those who work in this environment. It really did make a difference to us all and boosted morale."
* Not his real name