End of life care

Christine Wilson

Scarborough Hospital

Background

• Strong presence of Palliative care since 1993 in Scarborough Hospital

• Ethos to develop excellent end of life care for all

• MPET funding provided opportunity for specialist EOLC educational / facilitator role

Where to Start?

• Training needs analysis• Know your hospital staff, know the staff’s

knowledge, know your areas for quick wins and engage with the hospital board

• Identify ward champions • Programme of EOLC devised for the ward

champions• Education folders • Evaluation and continued links with the

champions

Phrase 2

• 1 Day course for RN, and HCA to include:

Diagnosing dying, DNACPR, symptom management, spiritual care, communication skills, ethos of EOLC

• Evaluated each session (ie symptom management)

• Action plans for all staff attending

SWOT Analysis

• Strengths – early adopters, interest accelerating, change in practice, verbal feedback from patients, relatives and staff

• Weaknesses – A few wards less engaged, limited teaching for medical staff, no teaching currently for senior medical staff

• Opportunities – funding provided facilitator role, EOLC education and care profile raised, evolving end of life care plan, education includes AHCP, to raise awareness at board level

• Threats – Time for staff to attend sessions, limited funding, sustainability required to ensure embedding change in practice

Future Actions

• Structured measurement of the education programme

• Implementation of local End of Life Care Plan

• Further engagement with the Transform programme

• Expansion of education for medical staff• Secure funding for the EOLC facilitator

role