Winsley-based Dorothy House Hospice Care is delighted that the team which developed a set of easy-to-read leaflets covering symptoms and services has been recognised internationally.

A clinician, graphic designer and three patients were all involved in the creation of The Dorothy House Hospice Care Easy Read Leaflets.

They were shortlisted in the International Journal of Palliative Nursing's Multidisciplinary Teamwork award at an event in London last night.

Denise Heal, from the Dorothy House Education Team, and Matt Carter, from the communications department, said they were thrilled to be placed third behind South London-based St Christopher’s Hospice Care Home project and the Anglia Team ABC End of Life Care project.

The Dorothy House team created leaflets that innovatively and simply discussed breathlessness, lymphoedema, complimentary therapies and advance care planning as well as more general information about its inpatients and day care services.

Liz Brown, Dorothy House chief executive, said it means a lot for the small, independent hospice to be recognised internationally

“Whilst we have a good voice locally it’s marvellous to be singled out on the international stage," she said.

"By just being nominated for an award of this nature will allow us to focus on our excellence and seek funding to expand this work.

"Obviously it is an international award so the competition was stiff but it’s a huge achievement to be in the final three.”

Short-term care, out-patient and day patient services are provided at the hospice in Winsley. There are also drop-in centres in Trowbridge and Peasedown St John, which are open to anyone.

Dorothy House Hospice Care receives about 21 per cent of its funding from the NHS and no funding is received from Macmillan Cancer Support or other national charities with most specialist nursing care in patients’ homes paid for by Dorothy House.

This year, after NHS funding, more than £3 million – or £9,500 a day – must be raised to provide services at the current level.