bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P24 TESSERA and beyond
Authors: Smith Jannette , O’Neill Julia
Published: October 2013

For the past 10 years, Pendleside have made one of their Day Therapy days available to non palliative patients. The day referred to as Early Diagnosis Day (EDD) was essentially aimed at patients with a recent cancer diagnosis being treated with curative intent.

Whilst the EDD was innovative and popular initially, more lately it had become stagnated and predicable. It was also recognised that it was not fully in line with the work being done locally and nationally which has “survivorship” as a key element.

Patients were consulted and responded enthusiastically to the ideas suggested for service improvement. Indeed the TESSERA name was chosen by a patient group.

It is acknowledged that a cancer diagnosis can be shattering and life changing. With appropriate support patients can and do rebuild their lives. It was on this basis that the name was chosen. A Tessera is an individual tile used in creating a mosaic. Which was thought to be an ideal representation of rebuilding in the finest form.

TESSERA:

Together,

 Experience,

 Solace,

 Survivorship,

 Empowerment,

 Rehabilitation,

 Adapt.

TESSERA offers an eight week rolling programme of activities, presentations and interactive workshops delivered by outside agencies in addition to Hospice and Trust staff. This is further complemented by peer and healthcare support including an extended MDT.

The day runs from 10am – 3pm.

Sessions are offered using a menu ‘pick and mix’ system. Attendance can be one session or a full day (and anything in between). Graduated arrival enables higher patient flow.

Exercise classes, Tai Chi, Emotional Wellbeing and Fatigue Management groups are timetabled as fixed sessions. These all contribute to the ultimate aim of empowering patients to regain a lifestyle that is enriched both emotionally and physically.
P25 Transforming day care services across boundaries
Authors: Linehan Gaberielle , Snow Caroline
Published: October 2013

South of England Hospice, population of 370,000-380.000, 14 inpatient beds and community team supporting approximately 300 patients.

Day care services previously delivered via a care model unchanged in twenty years; all day attendance with no defined focus.

A service review in 2011 demonstrated that on average 33 patients attended over four days from a community case load of approximately 300 (cost £4545.45 per patient). Referrals from the CNS team took on average two to three weeks to be processed to arrange a ‘look around’. Following this 40% of patients were unable to attend due to condition deterioration. A CNS caseload review demonstrated the patient demographic was changing to younger more discerning patients wanting specific treatments for attendance.

Day care services were suspended in May 2012 for a refurbishment project. This allowed a rethink on the parameters of the service, aiming to focus, energise and engage.

Service reopened in October 2012 delivering morning or afternoon sessions each with a specific focus. Lead for day care changed to a therapist with nurse support. Activities include, Hope course, art and craft, yoga, music therapy, bathing service on one afternoon, complimentary therapies, lunch clubs and an information centre once a month for all patients /relatives.

Focus of engagement changed from CNS referral to direct patient contact with a choice in activities. Attendance: STEP 1- three months accessing two sessions weekly plus a lunch club: then STEP 2- choice of one activity monthly and a lunch club. Eliminates need for discharge and allows for ongoing monitoring and engagement with hospice.

In the six months to March 2013 there has been engagement with 89 patients’, representing an increase of 166.8% over the 6 month period reducing the cost per patient to £1685.39.

User feedback is positive and active ongoing service review and development is planned.
P26 ESV is just the start
Authors: Filsell Karen , Levy Gillian
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The organisation has been involved for some time with Employer Supported Volunteering. In recent years we have seen a significant increase in the number of requests for Employer Supported Volunteering projects. At the same time, the fundraising team was tasked with further developing corporate relationships.

Aims

The aims were to:

develop a more professional response,

develop creative and interesting opportunities

use ESV as a springboard for further engagement with companies.

Methods

The Voluntary Services and Corporate Relationships teams developed an approach which included clear policy and procedures and a project bank across the organisation. All enquires are channelled through the Corporate Relationships team, and visits to companies are made before and after each activity to manage expectations and develop the relationship further.

Activities in the hospices include gardening, wrapping Christmas presents, and putting up or taking down Christmas decorations. Whilst in retail ESV volunteers became involved in window dressing challenges, as secret shoppers, or taking part in sorting challenges which are also involve the collection of donated goods from the participating company.

The Fundraising team also seek support from companies with bucket shakes, bag packs, and marshalling at large events.

Outcomes

Outcomes from the project include:

Completion of much needed organisational projects, eg development of play areas, sorting of stock for retail

Stronger, more productive partnerships with companies

Long term relationships - companies want to come back

Individuals becoming regular volunteers

Conclusion

The organisation is committed to further investment in this work and acknowledges that developing these relationships takes time and energy. The organisation has benefited greatly from creative and engaging projects that have provided benefit to children, young people and families and have helped develop strong corporate partnerships through volunteering.
P27 Volunteer hosts
Authors: Clarke Karen
Published: October 2013

Background

Autumn 2013 the hospice relocates to its new 20-bedded facility. To offer a more worthwhile and less segregated volunteering experience, a generic volunteer role was created to replace Ward Helpers, Receptionists and Day Therapy Helpers.

Aim

Offer a positive, friendly greeting to visitors via a well-informed, approachable “Host”

Create a volunteer ‘workforce’ aligned to the vision of the hospice as a community resource

Develop a flexible team able to respond to changing demands

Provide peer support and integration.

Approach

Consultation meetings: (i) volunteers affected and (ii) wider volunteer community. Meeting 1: Design and vision for the new building; Meeting 2: Potential role changes and consultation; Meeting 3: New roles and invitation to express interest.

Consultation with a volunteer focus group resulting in:

creation of volunteer Host Liaison role (to oversee the volunteer Hosts on duty)

weekly rotation of Hosts

Host ‘uniform’.

Visits to the new hospice.

Outcomes

77 existing volunteers have applied and been offered Host roles

49 unsolicited external applications received.

Feedback:

“I now feel very excited and privileged to be part of the beginning of the new life of the Hospice.”

the“meeting did a good job of clarifying what’s proposed and is another step towards the new set-up.... All feeling very positive”

“... having walked around the new build today, and with your input as to how life will probably be I cannot think of anything better to offer our town and neighbourhood”.

Application

“Volunteers: Vital to the future of Hospice Care” (2012), states that volunteers are vital to the high quality experience of those who seek help from hospices. The role of volunteer Hosts demonstrates a new approach to volunteering and offers volunteers a rewarding and life enhancing experience.
05 An evaluation of the “Just in Case” bag anticipatory prescribing scheme in Devon 2011-2013
Authors: O’Loghlen Laura , Baines Becky
Published: October 2013

Background

“Just in Case” anticipatory prescribing schemes are seen as one way of ensuring that patients nearing the end of their lives can have access to rapid relief of symptoms at home. The Gold Standards Framework for End of Life care encourages this a mainstay of care. No large scale attempts to examine the practice have been undertaken.

Aims

To assess the implementation of “Just in Case” bags in Devon over the first two years of the scheme. Feedback was sought from health professionals over the key features of the initiative, the drugs used and any problems encountered. A subsidiary aim was to assess the cost effectiveness of the scheme.

Approach used

83 GP practices in Devon were issued with a stock of “Just in Case” bags. A record was kept of when each bag was dispensed. Each bag was issued with a service evaluation form inside. The completed forms were returned to a central collection point allowing the total number of bags dispensed, and then used, to be measured. Data was collected between April 2011 and the end of March 2013.

Outcomes

1510 bags were dispensed during the period and 295 service evaluation forms were returned (20% return rate). The bags were well received by staff, patients and relatives alike. The most common four drugs prescribed were Diamorphine, Hyoscine Hydrobromide, Midazolam and Levomepromazine.

Application to hospice practice

An attempt was made to calculate the overall cost of the project and any savings from the scheme. The information gathered from the 295 completed evaluation forms suggested that 121 admissions to Hospital or Hospice were prevented. The bags also offered peace of mind for patients and relatives. The challenges of organising a large-scale service evaluation across multiple professional teams and of assessing projected financial savings are also discussed.
P28 Engaging volunteers in data collection to evidence service accountability
Authors: Henson Linda
Published: October 2013

Hospices are required to measure performance as evidence in making a difference to the lives of the communities they serve and to use this data to improve service delivery. This demands workforce capacity and capability as well as sustainability in data collection processes. In an innovative approach, a hospice successfully widened the scope for volunteers within their organisation, by engaging them in data collection using the St Christopher’s Hospice Patient Priorities Measure (SKIPP), a validated outcome measure for use in specialist palliative care settings. SKIPP was piloted for 3 months across the day and inpatient unit. A project lead trained and managed volunteers in the agreed pilot process. Key clinical champions were identified in each department to support the volunteers administering the questionnaires and to discuss any emerging ‘surprise’ concerns requiring a more immediate clinical response. Supervision/support meetings were agreed monthly for volunteers, facilitated by the project lead. The volunteers were very committed, evidenced by the 82%rate of returned initial questionnaires. All trained volunteers remained with the programme and reported feeling very positive, valued and recognized for the life skills and experience they brought and for being able to contribute to hospice service evaluation. The pilot proved very successful as volunteer engagement limited the opportunity for bias through nurse ‘gate-keeping’ and reduced the need for the nursing capacity to undertake this additional work. The volunteer’s feedback contributed to refining the process for future use. The pilot was successful at two levels, SKIPP yielded valuable data to inform the hospice quality accounts and proved an effective tool in patient assessment and service evaluation. The positive results provided sound evidence that using volunteers in a more diverse way within a hospice can yield greater engagement and role satisfaction for volunteers and add value to the organisation as a whole.
P29 Willen hospice - supporting volunteers to support patients and their families
Authors: Whear Sue
Published: October 2013

Title

Supporting Volunteers to Support Patients and their Families

Background

Patient and Family Services provide emotional support to patients and their families through Carers Support, Young Peoples Support and Bereavement Support. This is facilitated by volunteers who have been trained in offering skilled support for people who are going through a very difficult time.

Aims

To train volunteers to a high standard, equipping them with the skills to support patients, carers, children and young people and those who have been bereaved.

Provide regular supervision for volunteers, offering support, guidance and structure.

To develop volunteers through 1:1 reviews.

Approach Used

Volunteers work in one of the departments three services Patient & Carers, Young People’s or Bereavement Support. They are required to complete a 9 week training programme including:

Loses

Grief Responses (including age appropriate)

The Journey of Cancer

Communication, Listening Skills

Pre-bereavement

Attitudes towards Death

Beginnings, Middles, Endings

Bereavement

Practical Activities

Boundaries, Supervision

Policies, On with the Job

Safeguarding Children & Adults

Monthly supervision takes place with volunteers by way of client caseloads; update on the Hospice and Department and a topical discussion. 1:1 meetings take place annually and are centred on the volunteer, their development, guiding them to use their skills appropriately.

Outcomes

Patients and their families are supported by skilled, committed volunteers, giving them the opportunity to talk about their emotions, in a safe, confidential setting helping them find their coping strategies.

Volunteers are valued, nurtured and respected for the work they do.

Application to Hospice Practice

Patient and Family Services combines support and activities through volunteers for patients and their families delivering innovative methods of support and services which encompasses the Hub model, bringing it to the centre of the community.
P30 Recognised, valued and supported? A carers befriending service is an innovative way of developing the use of volunteers, improving quality outcomes in end of life care
Authors: Scott Cheryl , Sutcliffe Olwen , Seed Jessica
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The Carers Befriending Service (CBS) is a free service developed by Hospice Social Workers, influenced by the Carers Strategy (2010) and Improving Supportive and Palliative Care for Adults with Cancer (2004).

Aims

It provides an inclusive equitable service, supporting carers of people with a palliative diagnosis over 18 years who are mainly housebound and socially isolated. They have to be known to the Specialist Palliative Care Team, have an unpaid carer who provides substantial emotional/physical care on a regular basis.

Enables the carer to take a break from their caring role.

Assist’s to reduce carer stress.

Additional companionship and support to the cared for person.

Information to the carer and cared for person.

Reassurance to the carer in the knowledge that a trained volunteer is with the cared for person in their absence.

Methods

Consultation with service users and carers about the development of a CBS.

Literature review undertaken and visiting/researching other end of life care CBS’s.

Assessment documents developed.

Fifteen volunteers trained and 10 recruited.

Outcomes measured by a review process using a solution focused method.

Results

September 2011 – December 2012, 38 referrals, Befriended 17.

Aims have been met and carers took breaks by utilising the befriending service for varied reasons. Visits provide up to 4hrs a week, with 2hrs sessions being the most popular.

Befrienders provide emotional support and act as a link with the Hospice, improving vital communication processes at the end of life.

Service users satisfaction outcomes ‘excellent’.

Conclusion

Carers Befriending offers a best practice service enabling carers to take a break. A unique emotional relationship is developed with the befriender, improving quality of life and general well-being.

Research supports volunteers can make an important contribution to end-of-life care and it meets the requirements of the Government’s ‘Big Society’ principles.
P31 Neighbourly support in our local communities
Authors: Pyke-Lees Celia , Cave Jane , McDonough Elaine
Published: October 2013

Introduction

In mid-2012, we decided to create a volunteer service to complement our Hospice at Home service, extend our ability to support a patient’s choice to remain at home at the end of their life and widen the reach of our services.

The vision is for volunteers to support end of life clients in their own local communities through such activities as walking the dog, hanging out washing, taking the children to school, shopping, light gardening, or simply providing companionship.

Method

A project group was set up to monitor and support the project’s progress and a project manager was appointed. Current service provision was scoped to ensure that the Hospice Neighbours scheme is not only required but also complements any service provision already in place. The project manager worked closely with Adult Social Care, General Practitioners and local community groups.

Starting first in three pilot areas, we have so far recruited over 40 volunteers. A bespoke training programme was developed and delivered to our first group of Hospice Neighbours volunteers. The aim of the training has been to provide practical support and advice such as, food hygiene training, fire safety awareness (kindly supported by the Fire Service), lone working etc. The feedback received from our new volunteers has been extremely positive with all of them feeling confident in their new volunteering role.

Progress

We are now supporting our first clients in their own homes. The project manager undertakes an initial risk assessment visit to meet the client, discuss their needs; and then matches a volunteer to the client. Nominations for client support are increasing and our intention is to roll out the service across the whole of our area over the coming year. We are now recruiting volunteers and clients for the next three areas.
P32 Talking whilst there’s time
Authors: Popplestone-Helm Sarah , Tomkins Anne
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Help the Hospices encourages us to develop the roles of volunteers by ‘building on existing practice, promoting excellence in the future and exploring new approaches to volunteering.’(Volunteers: Vital to the future of Hospice Care. 2012 p. 3)Increased levels and complexity of referrals, limited resources and a 3 month waiting list for counselling encouraged us to look at developing the counselling service to introduce volunteer counsellors and volunteer s counselling students.

Aims

This project aims to support patients and families with complex needs, saving the Hospice money, resources and cutting the waiting list, whilst giving students and qualified counsellors the opportunity to work within Palliative Care, giving them the opportunity to enhance existing good practice and extend their skill base.

Methods

We worked alongside organisations who had also considered this way of working, looked at what they had learned and what might have been done differently. We linked with universities regarding courses suited to the Hospice ethos, and how a hospice placement might enable best learning for students.

Paperwork was designed and trialled.

Universities approached and criteria for students and volunteers agreed.

Adverts were placed in appropriate professional journals, interviews carried out.

Induction and training plans developed, and education delivered.

Outcomes

Building on existing practice enabled us to offer patients and families the opportunity to ‘talk whilst there’s time’.

Students and qualified counsellors have trained and experienced working within palliative care, thereby promoting excellence in the future.

264 volunteer counselling hours have been worked in the first 6 months, saving the Hospice £4000: the counselling waiting list has been cut from 3 months to 3 weeks.

In exploring this new way of working we have developed and expanded our service and have been pleased to share our findings through education, supervision and networking.
P33 Development of a volunteer forum to engage with our key workforce
Authors: Moorey Alison , Lemm Emma , Cleeves Ruth
Published: October 2013

During the Hospice’s 25th Anniversary year a group of Trustees and senior staff, along with a Volunteer Consultant, undertook a ‘listening exercise’ to improve engagement with our local community. One of the recommendations of the project was to establish a formal method of consulting with our volunteers.

Building on the success of our volunteers winning The Queens Award for Voluntary Service, the proposal to establish a forum was made at the annual volunteers meeting and a group emerged of those who were interested in becoming forum members.

A Chair was elected by the group and Terms of Reference drawn up and agreed when the meetings commenced in October 2012. The forum now has 19 members, representing all areas of volunteer input including retail, and the Chair meets regularly with the Chief Executive and Volunteer Services Leader so that issues raised can be formally reported to the Management Team.

The forum provides real opportunities to formally engage with our volunteers, aligning with two of the key operating principles identified by the Commission into the Future of Hospice Care – ‘developing the hospice workforce’ and ‘reaching out – promoting conversation, informing and supporting choice’. Forum members have reported they are better informed about all activities of the Hospice and feel that their voice is truly valued. Members are planning to visit other hospices to learn about examples of developing roles of volunteers and feedback to the forum.

Formal feedback from volunteers is obtained by means of an annual survey and this will include feedback about the forum so that we can ensure all volunteer voices are heard. As the Trustees consider future options to develop our services to meet growing needs, the forum will enable effective strategic contribution from volunteers, as recommended in the Commission’s report ‘Volunteers: vital to the future of hospice care.’
P34 Emotional competence as the baseline for volunteering in hospices
Authors: Stogdon Mark
Published: October 2013

In the summer of 2011 North London Hospice set out to refresh our approach to volunteering to include:

Developing a different model of volunteering

Incorporating Volunteers as part of our workforce (under HR)

Moving the management of volunteers to our services/departments

Encompassing volunteers from Retail & Fundraising

Increasing the variety of roles to match need

Developing a more highly trained volunteer workforce

Improving ongoing support and communication

Our approach was to regard‘Emotional competence’to be the highest context of training and preparing volunteers and we have designed a baseline programme which we have named ‘Oyster’ training. The amount of training corresponds to the emotional complexity of the work and then the service itself undertakes further supervision, mentoring and training to assist the volunteer in to the specific role. At the higher end this is work undertaken by volunteers who are working for our new Loss & Transition service, which provides pre and post bereavement support. We have learnt that for the transition of volunteers to services to work effectively it is important to structure the services to lead on particular volunteer roles; for example new Loss & Transition Co-ordinators developed from a Social Work re-structure and a Front of House Volunteer Lead from an Admin and Facilities re-structure. The hearts and minds part of the development both for staff and volunteers requires regular face to face contact; relationship being an important underpinning of the change. This is all still work in progress and the development of the capacity for volunteers to co-ordinate themselves and support each other is the next important step.
P35 Volunteer line management training and support
Authors: McCartney Louise
Published: October 2013

Introduction

“Volunteers are vital to the future of Hospice care”, as are those who manage volunteers.

The management of volunteers and acceptance of responsibilities was inconsistent across our Hospice: limited allocated line mangers; fear of managing situations and volunteers “wrong”. It was essential to develop a line manager programme, training and support as volunteer numbers increased and to effectively support our community of 900 + volunteers. The aims:

Delegate responsibility of volunteers to departments e.g. training

Engage volunteers at departmental level

Develop skills to manage volunteers effectively

Adherence to policies and procedures

Methods

Multi-step approach ensured the programme was manageable:

Redesign and create policies and procedures, e.g. resolving difficulties, through consulting with staff and volunteers

Outlining responsibilities of line managers, volunteers and Voluntary Services (VS)

Provide clear structure to address and manage problems

Establish role descriptions allocating volunteer line management departmentally

Line manager training

External trainer

VS led sessions

Accessible information

Departmental folders

VS intranet page

Bi-monthly line manager meetings: maintain volunteer data, discuss initiatives and problems

Annual line managers training/updates

New staff inductions

Conclusion

Successes:

Clear management within agreed procedures and responsibilities

Departmental volunteer line managers allocated

Volunteer training and development of roles has increased due to increased knowledge and confidence of line managers working with volunteers

Volunteer engagement and commitment has been fostered through good people management and treating volunteers fairly, resulting in increased volunteer numbers and higher retention rates

Volunteer line managers seek advice on how to address problems and manage volunteers as opposed to expecting VS to deal with all volunteer requirements

Reduced dependence on VS enabling focus to be on data maintenance and strategy

Created a peer support network amongst line managers

Due to the successes and learning from the experience we are undertaking the process for remote retail managers.
P36 In Patient Unit (IPU) volunteer line management and expansion of volunteer roles and responsibilities
Authors: Lane Carol , McCartney Jeanette , McCartney Louise
Published: October 2013

Introduction

It was recognised, at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice (DMH), that there was a need to diversify the role of IPU volunteers to support the clinical services. Previous attempts to increase the roles and responsibilities of volunteers on the IPU failed due to: lack of line management, staff perception of volunteer competencies and fear of the loss of staff roles. An IPU volunteer co-ordinator (VC) was appointed to develop the role and to work within best practise line management, as defined and implemented by Voluntary Services across the hospice.

Methods

A Band 3 Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) was seconded from the IPU initially for 37.5hours/week for 3 months and 15hours/week subsequently into the role of VC. The HCSW retained clinical hours to maintain clinical skills. The VC worked in consultation with the IPU team to identify additional volunteer roles. The following were identified:

Care: e.g. assistance with personal hygiene, nutrional needs

Companion: companionship to patients

Sitter: being with patients who require supervision e.g. patients who are anxious

Escort: escorting hospital appointments

The IPU team were involved in the training and competency process so that they took sownership and responsibility for new volunteers. The VC is responsible for recruitment, training, rostering and appraisal of the volunteers. The staff on the IPU have access to the volunteer details so that they can access the volunteer, if needed, outside of the rostered hours.

Conclusion

This role has been well received:

Successes

Increased volunteer numbers and roles

Enhanced the diversity and quality of care provided on the IPU

Effective management of volunteers ensuring volunteers are retained, feel valued and integrated into the team

A further 10 competencies have been introduced to develop the IPU Care role further including taking and recording blood pressure

Following the success of the role the 3 bed community led DMH unit, recruited a volunteer coordinator for 16hours/week.
P37 The 100% project
Authors: Neely Roslyn
Published: October 2013

Background

There is anecdotal evidence that families who have a child with a life-limiting condition experience isolation and stress because people avoid engaging with them about issues around death, dying and bereavement. Scotland has a number of organisations who are now focusing on how to encourage a societal shift in attitudes. As a children’s palliative care organisation, there is a responsibility to families to contribute to this work.

The 100% Project is a community engagement project which aims to start conversations about death, dying and bereavement in a life-affirming way.

Aim

The 100% Project comprises a range of events and social media activities which aims to:

Promote positive attitudes to death, dying and bereavement

Tackle the silence and isolation experienced by those affected by death, dying and bereavement

Raise awareness amongst those involved with the organisation, including service users, staff, volunteers, the public; and develop people’s skills and confidence in this area

Promote community involvement with and understanding of issues relating to life-shortening conditions

Approach

The 100% Project will build gradually towards more difficult conversations around death and dying, by starting with a range of accessible, non-challenging activities. These include a social media poll to decide Scotland’s Top Tear-jerker film; as well as engaging individuals in submitting uplifting pictures, quotes and stories. The 100% Book Club aims to generate conversations, bringing small groups together in local communities. In partnership with Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, “Before I Die Walls” will generate positive publicity about the campaign across Scotland.

Outcomes and Implications for Practice

It is hoped that this project will reduce the misconceptions that surround children’s hospice care, and contribute to a national conversation in Scotland about Death, Dying and Bereavement, ultimately improving quality of life for families.
06 ‘Being There’ - Evaluation of a Network Approach to 24/7 Specialist Symptom Management for Children and their Families
Authors: Maynard Linda , Binns Mandy , Lynn Debbi
Published: October 2013

Provision of 24/7 symptom management for children with life-threatening conditions via a whole network approach is unusual. We have evaluated this innovative service method, delivered by five clinical nurse specialists, across a predominately rural geographical area, aligned to a dispersed Children’s Hospice Service. Service objectives were: symptom management support; open access to families and professionals; choice in place of care and death and collaboration to develop common approaches, shared pathways and management plans.

An 18 item questionnaire was developed to audit service standards; two open questions aimed to elicit good practice and areas for development. Stakeholders (n = 48 families, n = 121 hospice staff and n = 129 external professionals) were surveyed by internal or external mail. Overall response rate was 47% (families 54%; hospice staff 50%; external professionals 41%).

Two thirds of respondents reported that the team provided as much as needed with service standards. Around the clock symptom management support was highly valued (88% of respondents reported as much provision as needed). Assessment of emotional symptoms and response to telephone queries within four hours were areas for development. High levels of satisfaction were reported (n = 108, 83%) and three quarters of respondents rated the team extremely responsive, reliable and flexible. Comparison between groups showed no significant differences except for: usefulness of support and advice given by the team; usefulness of the ‘out of hours’ call handling service and extent to which the team assessed a child’s emotional symptoms. Qualitative data revealed that the team ‘spanned organisational boundaries’; provided care ‘any time of the day and night’; ‘filled a critical gap’; ‘gave families time’ and was perceived by them as ‘the glue between professionals’ and a ‘life line’.

The service had a much greater impact that expected in all key objectives and demonstrated that a network approach to service delivery is possible and highly effective.
P38 The UK square table programme – an engagement tool for hospices
Authors: Gelb Barbara
Published: October 2013

Introduction

During 2010-11, 41 Square Table events held across the UK. More than 1,500 people took part, including families of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, young adults who have grown up using children’s palliative care services, health, social care and education professionals as well as other community leaders.

Aims

The Square Table programme aimed to:

Deepen understanding of children’s palliative care within communities.

Act as a catalyst for communities to work better together to meet the needs of children and families.

Stimulate children’s hospices and other providers to develop their services.

Methods and results

The Square Table is a structured discussion, where all sides of the table are the same length to symbolise all views as equal in merit. Most were hosted by children’s hospices, enabling a better understanding of the needs of users and reach out into their communities.

There were some common themes which emerged:

Low awareness has a negative impact on access to services.

Greater coordination of services and partnerships is needed at all levels.

Key working is seen by families as a necessity for helping navigate a complex system.

Serious concerns about support for young people making the transition to adulthood.

The future sustainability of services is a concern, particularly in the context of a fragile economy.

Follow up

Progress has been made by services since the programme, particularly in

Widening family support services

Improving partnership working and collaboration with the statutory sector

Developing new services

Improving communication

Conclusion

The Square Table concept is a valuable tool for hospices to engage more effectively with communities and in service development, especially in response to the Commission into the Future of Hospice Care.
P39 Newham bereavement service – a community engagement project
Authors: Colclough Lourdes , Burnard Sarah
Published: October 2013

Aim

The aim is to assess the bereavement needs in Newham and to provide support that is sensitive to the cultural, religious and language requirements of the borough’s population. The service operates via a compassionate community model, providing training to enable the local population to support people within their locality, as well as improving local knowledge around death and grief.

Background

Newham has a diverse community, with 68% of its 247,614 population coming from Black and minority ethnic communities (ONS, 2008). The estimated number of deaths in Newham in 2008 was 1,437 (ONS, 2008), yet the majority of those bereaved did not access professional support. Cultural attitudes to death and grieving could prevent people from accessing formal bereavement services and many people could be unaware of other areas of support they could access.

Approach

Volunteers, who are reflective of the local community, are being trained, on an on-going basis, as befrienders, allowing those who may not choose to access professionally led services to receive support and information following bereavement. Referrals are triaged to the service via Newham Psychological Services who partner us in providing this service. The service is mainly operated by volunteers, with only two members of staff dedicated to the service on a part-time basis.

Findings and Recommendations

We evaluate the impact of our service by measuring several factors including how the support has affected service user’s lives.

Conclusion

The services is in its first year, of three commissioned, but has had a strong start up with a high number of volunteers trained and ‘active’. The level of uptake will allow us to find out the gaps in service provision/uptake and the need for informal support. This model could be replicated in other boroughs if the need and response is supported.
P40 A hospice chaplaincy approach to community outreach: Building end of life groups within faith communities
Authors: Thompson Hilary , Boucher Vivi
Published: October 2013

Introduction

This innovative piece of Hospice Chaplaincy outreach is in its infancy. It is a listening project concentrating on multi faith communities in a richly diverse multi ethnic, multicultural inner city borough. The focus is on End of Life Care and Hospice services.

Aims

This project aims to build long lasting relationships between local faith communities and the Hospice. It is organic and will develop according to the expressed needs of the stakeholders.

Method

A local council map of places of worship was divided into four smaller areas and a project plan developed. Faith leaders in the first area were visited. Several introductory workshops were held in the Hospice. The Chaplain was invited to speak and give workshops in some faith communities. A training programme for volunteers to support End of Life Groups in faith communities was initiated. Work in area one is being sustained while visits to faith leaders begin in area two.

Results

All thirty five faith leaders in area one were visited and invited into the Hospice for an introductory workshop. Twenty seven attended. A significant number had not met before. A second workshop was requested and several requested talks and workshops to be given to their faith communities. This has resulted in the development of a series of workshops based on the needs of these faith groups.

Discussion

So far the results are consistent with the aims. Faith leaders meeting for the first time were able to explore possibilities of working more closely. Several have come into the Hospice to attend other events. End of Life groups are beginning in faith communities. Death is being discussed.

Conclusion

Information given is often based on professional assessment of what is wanted, this ensures that we listen and respond to articulated needs. Working systematically with smaller groupings embeds the project in faith communities.
P41 Engaging our local communities
Authors: Pyke-Lees Celia , Parker Laura
Published: October 2013

‘Creativity is contagious. Pass it on’ Albert Einstein

Rooted in creativity

Our area is filled with creative spirits, working away at their craft creating some truly stunning pieces. These artisans will often say that their work is good for the soul, working with their hands and heart with stunning results. At the Hospice we believe in holistic care, focusing on the individual, their soul and the things that matter to them. We believe that by adopting this focus it not only helps the individual but also the people that surround them, their family and friends. So as we started to look to ways to engage our more rural communities we decided to pair these two philosophies and host an event that was good for everyone’s soul.

Create. Make. Bake was born.

The concept behind Create. Make. Bake is simply to bring together local artisans, with skills such 3D weaving, upholstery, jewellery making or bread making, to share their skill, knowledge and expertise. Artisans held workshops, demonstrations and talks and let the visiting public have a go. Our Trading Warehouse supplied a range of materials and a Pop-Up shop.

Create. Make. Bake. is a relaxed affair. No formal table plan, no standing behind trestle tables and no entrance or exhibiting fee. A free and informal event that targets local communities, engages the Hospice with a new audience and communicates the services that we can provide.

So, how did it turn out?

Well… 16 tables with different artisans. 15 amazing raffle prizes. Over a 100 people through the door. People learnt, shared and, most importantly, enjoyed a day to remember with the Hospice. There was positive feedback:‘Had a great time today and thought the event was very inspirational.’,

Will it become an annual event? It’s been booked in the diary already!
P42 meditation: from hospice to community – from therapy to life skill
Authors: Dewar Ian
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Programmes are developed in hospices to meet the needs of patients and have the potential to be life changing for people in the wider community. This project stemmed from work with patients on using meditation (mindfulness) as a therapeutic tool and extended outwards into the wider community.

Aim

Bring together experience and praxis of work with patients, extract life lessons and turn these into life skills for non patients.

Methods

Combining the experience of the facilitator (20 years of teaching meditation) and the insights gained from working with patients, a 6 week introductory course was developed for the wider community to buy into. Each session is 1.5 hours in length and there is an upper limit of 10 people per course.

Data is gathered verbally as the course progresses and the course is flexible by design so that changes in emphasis can take place according to group need. Feedback sheets are issued at the end of the 6 week course.

Results

The course for non-patients is now into its fourth programme, numbers are growing – 4 on the first course, 10 on the third - and it is generating regular publicity for the hospice. At £99 per person per course for non-patients it is also generating income. More significantly feedback indicates that people are coping better with anxiety, changing attitudes to life situations, volunteering for the hospice and many report continuing to practise after the completion of the course.

Discussion

Expected and unexpected are words that relate to this project. Expected reductions in anxiety where met. One of the most surprising things (needing further research) is where participants reported improvements in physical awareness and health as a result of meditation practice.

Conclusion

Meditation (mindfulness) offers a model of how certain hospice skills are eminently transferable to different settings enhancing the hospices model of care, community engagement and profile.
P43 The use of social media by UK Hospices: review and discussion
Authors: Kleszcz Eleanor , Campbell Carolyn
Published: October 2013

Background

With more than 65% of adults actively using social media each week it is important to ensure that hospices are developing new ways to engage with this population group to encourage fundraising and provide support to patients and carers. Social media provide exciting opportunities for hospices to widen their influence and activity, but also raise practical and ethical issues which must be addressed.

Methods

This research appraised 150 hospice websites in England and Wales to determine the prevalence of social media and how it is being used to engage, educate and support hospice users, volunteers and staff. Numbers of users and type of use (fundraising, support, awareness raising) were recorded and factors such as prominence on website explored. Social media sites were also searched for links to hospice and palliative care issues.

Results

In total, 35% of hospice websites used Facebook and 33% used Twitter to communicate with the public, 28% of websites accessed did not use any form of social media. The majority of social media sites were used to encourage and provide information regarding fundraising. Very few websites used a forum, an opportunity for hospices to provide support to hospice users whilst also educating and encouraging fundraising in a more secure environment. The extended search of social media sites highlighted areas of discussion, support and awareness raising distinct from and not tapped into by hospice sites.

Discussion

The rewards and disadvantages of forum use for hospices are explored alongside recommendations for improving public awareness of the hospice social media sites. To date, UK hospices are underusing social media both in volume of traffic and scope (overwhelmingly for fundraising only). This leaves hospices self-excluding from much of the potential of social media to inform, support and debate, and at risk of being left behind.
P44 The introduction of a patient education programme into a hospice day service
Authors: Benson Chris
Published: October 2013

At a time when hospice care is being scrutinised by commissioners this small study evaluates the implementation of an education programme in a Day Hospice and the impact this had on patients living with life limiting illness.

Education for patients near end of life appears to have received minimal research attention. Wider investigation of the needs of these patients reveals that the impact of illness robs them of their sense of self and autonomy (Johnston 2004), and opportunities to self-care and self-manage can be limited by paternalism (Cottrell 2008, Jackson 2006).

This programme offered patients the opportunity to attend facilitated educational discussion groups such as medicine management, coping with anxiety and breathlessness, and planning ahead for death and to participate in group relaxation and exercise sessions

A case study methodology allowed the use of mixed methods to collect data from three sources; patients, using diaries and transcribed interviews; staff delivering the programme using a focus group; and professionals referring to the service using a questionnaire.

Findings revealed that patients had motivation and capacity to participate and learn however ill they were, demonstrating their desire to be acknowledged as ‘active and participating citizens’ (Kendallet al2007:524). Patients also experienced an increase in self-esteem and confidence resulting from the programme.

Staff delivering the programme reported an increase in their confidence through facilitating discussion groups and were challenged in relation to their preconceived ideas about what individual patients may want to learn.

Other findings related to the ability to promote the service to a wider group of potential patients.

This small study demonstrates the potential for increased ‘self-care’ when an education programme is introduced within a Day Hospice setting. This may positively influence potential commissioners to the service and raise the profile of Day Services as part of Hospice Care.