End of life care at home in Radlett and Shenley is supported by two specialist services, and it helps to know both numbers before they are needed. People registered with a Hertsmere GP can be referred to the NHS Specialist Palliative Care Service run by Central London Community Healthcare. Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care also covers Hertsmere. This guide sets out who does what, and which number to ring at which hour.
Families caring for someone at the end of life often say the same thing. The days are manageable, because people are around and phones are answered. It is the evenings, weekends and small hours that feel exposed. A clear out-of-hours plan, written down and kept by the phone, changes that more than almost anything else.
Starling Homecare is an independent, family-run provider regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Our Radlett and Shenley team provides visiting, overnight and live-in care alongside the NHS and hospice teams. The service details below come from the providers' own pages, checked on 24 September 2026.
Who does what in end of life care at home in Radlett
Three groups are usually involved. First, the GP and the community nurses, who lead day-to-day clinical care. Second, the specialist palliative care team, whose nurses advise on symptoms that are harder to manage. Third, a care provider such as Starling, whose carers help with washing, comfort, meals, company and the nights.
Central London Community Healthcare says its specialist palliative care nurses see patients registered with a GP in south-west Hertfordshire, including Hertsmere, after referral by a professional. They visit at home seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm. They can also refer on, for example to Rennie Grove Peace's Rapid Personalised Care Service, which offers a package of care for up to 12 weeks in a patient's final weeks.
The out-of-hours plan: which number, at which time
This is the part worth writing on a card by the phone. The numbers below are the ones the services publish themselves.
- Weekdays, 9am to 5pm: the Specialist Palliative Care Service on 020 8102 6236.
- Weekends and bank holidays: 03000 200 656, option 1 then option 1, asking for the palliative care nurse.
- Out of hours advice: the service's advice line on 01923 335 356.
- Hospice care enquiries: Rennie Grove Peace on 01923 606 030, from 8am to 6pm, urgent calls only after 6pm.
- At any hour: NHS 111 for the out-of-hours GP, and 999 in an emergency.
In our experience, the most useful thing a family can do is agree in advance who rings, and what they say. Keep the GP surgery's name, the NHS number and a short list of current medicines on the same card.
Where Starling fits alongside the NHS and hospice
Our carers do not replace the nurses, and they do not make clinical decisions. What they provide is time. That means unhurried personal care, help with comfort as the care plan sets out, and someone in the house when the family needs to sleep. Often, it also means sitting quietly with the person.
At night, the choice is usually between sleeping and waking nights. Our guide to overnight care in Radlett and Shenley explains the difference. The end of life and palliative care page describes the service itself.
Planning ahead while there is time
Some conversations are easier early on. They cover where the person wants to be cared for, what matters most to them, and who should make decisions if they cannot. The GP and palliative team can help record those wishes.
Funding also deserves an early look. Attendance Allowance has special rules for people nearing the end of life, and claims under those rules are dealt with more quickly. Our cornerstone guide to end of life care at home covers planning in more depth. For what the final weeks can bring, see palliative care at home: what to expect.
Equipment is the other thing to raise early. A hospital bed, pressure-relieving mattress or commode is usually arranged through the nurses. The palliative care service lists the Hertfordshire Equipment Service on 01707 292 555. Afterwards, Rennie Grove Peace also offers bereavement support to families, which is worth knowing about before it is needed.
Common questions about end of life care at home in Radlett
Which hospice covers Radlett and Shenley?
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care lists Hertsmere among the Hertfordshire localities it covers. It provides hospice care at home as well as in its hospice buildings. Care enquiries go to 01923 606 030.
Who do I call at night about end of life care at home in Radlett?
The Specialist Palliative Care Service publishes an out of hours advice line on 01923 335 356. You can also call NHS 111 for the out-of-hours GP, or 999 in an emergency.
Can Starling provide overnight care at the end of life in Radlett?
Yes. We provide sleeping and waking nights, and live-in care, across Radlett and Shenley. Our carers work alongside the GP, community nurses and palliative team.
Nobody should have to search for a phone number at three in the morning. If you are caring for someone in Radlett, Shenley or nearby and would like to talk about support at home, our Radlett and Shenley team is on 01923 988 550. You can also email [email protected]. Central London Community Healthcare's Specialist Palliative Care Service page lists its numbers in full.
Arranging Care Is Simple
Starting care can feel like a big step. We keep it calm and straightforward, and we are here to guide you from your very first call.
1. Talk to us
Get in touch by phone or request a callback. We will listen, answer your questions and help you understand the options, so you can decide what feels right in your own time.
2. A home visit and initial consultation
We arrange a visit to understand your routines, your home and what matters most to you. Together we agree an initial consultation and shape the support that feels right.
3. Your care begins
A small, familiar team starts your care, arriving at the agreed times and staying involved as your needs change. We remain your trusted adviser throughout.
Whenever you are ready, we are here to help.