Sidmouth Hospiscare is planning to change its name to better describe recent changes to the care it provides and its new partnership approach with Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Following a recent announcement that the Sidmouth organisation is introducing an expanded Integrated Model of Care to support people with a life limiting illness in the Sid Valley, Sidmouth Hospiscare is planning to change its name to better describe the new service and are seeking the views of the people in the Sid Valley.

The name and strapline needs to reflect the new model of care, which includes the introduction of hospice-at-home nursing, enabling more patients to remain in their own homes and have the best possible quality of life, broadening the services to all patients who have a Sidmouth GP who are diagnosed as palliative, and providing more support for carers and families.

David Cook, chair of Sidmouth Hospiscare said: "For 35 years Sidmouth Hospiscare has been offering care and support to people in the Sid Valley with a life limiting illness. This includes commissioning and fully funding a specialist nursing team and, when required, paying for hospice beds from Hospiscare in Exeter.

"Our name has therefore reflected the partnership with Hospiscare. This causes some confusion with donors not having clarity that donations to Sidmouth Hospiscare pay for all services for people with a Sid Valley Practice GP.

"Moving to a new model, which will be commissioned and fully funded by us, but operated by the RD&E, it would be helpful to remove any confusion over the use of the name Hospiscare. Hence the proposed name change."

Sidmouth Hospiscare relies on support from the community to provide these services and can only meet the increasing needs by working with others. It wants to involve the people in the Sid Valley to help choose a name they feel is fitting for the new enhanced care offering.

A magnum of champagne has been kindly donated by one of the Sidmouth Hospiscare Trustees for the person who comes up with the best name.

Submit suggested names, and any comments regarding why, by 20 September to: [email protected] ,or by mail to Sidmouth Hospiscare, 5 May Terrace, Sidmouth, EX10 8EN.