Airedale Hospital bosses have welcomed the success of a pilot project designed to help alleviate the suffering of terminally-ill patients.

The hospital has been trialling a service called Gold Line via its Telemedicine Hub. This gives patients and their carers help and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via a single point of contact.

In her monthly written report to managers last month, Airedale chief executive, Bridget Fletcher, said: “During normal working hours, patients continue to contact their primary care team, but this service considerably improves their care out of hours.

“The initial pilot, supported by Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Comm-issioning Group, started with patients in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. This has now been extended to the rest of Bradford district.

“The pilot projects are being independently evaluated, and early informal patient and carer feedback is very positive.”