ARDGOWAN Hospice is working with nursing homes to continue to improve end of life are in Inverclyde.

Staff from the hospice have been running a training programme put specialist palliative care champions into all 13 care homes across the region and ensure the excellent care for those with life limiting illnesses.

It comes days after Inverclyde's MP Martin McCluskey showed his support for prioritising palliative care and calling for more investment.

The Palliative Care Champions Training Course has been a huge success, with the six-week programme led by the dedicated advance clinical nurse Monica Keenan.

(Image: George Munro) She said: "It is so important that people are given the very best care at the end of life. Care home are where very many people will die and it is important we support them in every way we can.

"We wanted to work with them because they care for the most vulnerable people."

The palliative care champion programme is funded by Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership.

The initiative aimed to give carers  the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver exceptional palliative care and advocate for compassionate practices in their communities.

On completion of the course the Ardgowan Hospice organised a day of celebration.

Among those getting presented with a certificate was Alt-Na-Craig care home nurses Jacqueline Fagan and Patricia McLellan.

Jacqueline said: "It was a very worthwhile programme to take part in, it is important to refresh our skills. we want to do what we can to pass on the best possible practice to all our staff."

Colleague Patricia added: "It is important we work with the residents and their families. It is about how we can best care for that person."

At the event to mark the end of the programme, chief executive Graham Gardiner highlighted Ardgowan Hospice’s vision for the future, emphasising the transformative role of education and community support in palliative care.

He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in creating a brighter future for all those impacted by life-limiting illnesses.

Following a recent debate in parliament Martin McCluskey said that palliative care needs to be given a greater priority and investment.