THE pioneering Compassionate Inverclyde programme has been hailed by the Deputy First Minister as a template that should be rolled out across the country.

Shona Robison heaped praised on the caring initiative during a visit to Inverclyde Royal to meet with hospital staff and volunteers.

The unique project helps people experiencing loneliness, social isolation and provides company in the last days of life to make sure no-one dies alone.

Greenock Telegraph:

Ms Robison helped to fill 'welcome home' boxes containing food, knitted blanket and get-well cards made by local schoolchildren, which are given to people who live alone when coming out of hospital.

She told the Telegraph: "The project is definitely something that we would want to encourage other communities to look at.

"There has been huge interest in Compassionate Inverclyde, not just in Scotland but from elsewhere in the UK and internationally.

"We are really keen that communities could be supported to do something similar to this, if they are not already.

"There is something very special about the way this has developed and the service has grown. People who volunteer clearly get a lot from it as well.

"It's a really fantastic service. I am very impressed."

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The initiative was set up with initial funding from Ardgowan Hospice in 2016 and has been led by Alison Bunce since then, after she was seconded from her role as Director of Palliative Care with the hospice.

It is run in conjunction with Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership.

Ms Bunce, who was named RCN nurse of the year 2022 for her work, said: "Shona spoke at the launch of Compassionate Inverclyde in 2017, so it's nice to be able to share with her the journey we have been on since.

"It's been incredible. It shows you what can be achieve if you give people the opportunity and empower them.

"We can work alongside health professionals and make a difference but at the same time we are part of the Inverclyde community and are ordinary people."

The team has 67 NODA (No-one Should Die Alone) volunteers, 28 back home box helpers, 11 people who help at its hub and 10 back home visitors.

Ms Robison said the success of the initiative shows that Inverclyde is a very caring community.

She said: "There is something special about the compassion and the way that was at the heart of some of the early discussions about getting the services up and running.

“Compassionate Inverclyde is an example of the kind of work that forms a key part of our wider ambitions for public service reform, ensuring communities and people are enabled and supported to help each other.

“It is important that we all work together to achieve person centred, sustainable public services.”