End of Life Care Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 1 Issue 9

Barriers to achieving care at home at the end of life: transferring patients between care settings using patient transport services.

Source: International Observatory on End of Life Care

Follow this link  for abstract.

Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: online article

In a nutshell:  This article addresses the problems encountered by service users and key stakeholders of palliative care services in relation to journeys between care settings during end-of-life care.  An evaluation of services in three areas of the United Kingdom by the Marie Curie Cancer Care ‘Delivering Choice Programme’  showed that timely and safe transport emerged as a key issue and this finding subsequently informed a service redesign programme in the areas concerned.   

Some important notes:  published electronically ahead of print

Acknowledgement:  International Observatory on End of Life Care

A national facilitation project to improve primary palliative care: impact of the Gold Standards Framework on process and self-ratings of quality

Source: Quality and Safety in Health Care 2009; 18 :174-180

Date of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: An analysis of the impact of the implementation of the Gold Standards Framework for Palliative Care during the period 2003-2005 which involved around 1300 GP practices. The findings show all dimensions of quality improved following GSF implementation.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Commissioning: Service maps in end of life care in NHS Tower Hamlets; 1. Adult services 2. Children’s services

Source:  National End of Life Care Programme

Follow this link for article.

Date of publication:  October 2009

Publication type:  Website

In a nutshell:   NHS Tower Hamlets has produced maps depicting end of life care services for adults and children and how each service connects with the others and these maps are now being implemented in different commissioning workstreams.  The maps will constitute a  key element of Tower Hamlets’ service redesign and development for end of life care services and wider palliative care services.  The maps have continued to be used in different commissioning workstreams :- The Marie Curie Delivering Choice Programme as well as long-term conditions planning, including COPD and neurological conditions.

Acknowledgement:  National End of Life Care Programme

How improving services can hold the key to end of life care choices

Source:  Journal of Care Services Management  Volume 4, Number 1 / October–December, 2009

Date of publication: September 2009

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: The Marie Curie Delivering Choice programme has been implemented in various UK locations and has shown that the high numbers of hospital deaths in the UK can be reduced if services become more efficient, responsive and provide holistic quality care. The programme advocates a whole systems approach to redesign services with the objective of providing choice for terminally ill patients about where they want to receive care until they die. Key findings are that services both in hospital and community settings need to improve.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Summary Care Record: the Bury experience.

Source: European Journal of Palliative Care

Follow this link for the article.

Date of Publication: May-June 2009

Publication Type: Online article

In a nutshell: This article looks at the implementation of the Summary Care Record for end-of-life care at NHS Bury PCT to replace the paper-based system of communication between patients’ GPs, consultants, district nurse services and out-of-hours care providers. Benefits to patients, GP practices and urgent care providers are discussed.

Length of Publication: 3 pages

Acknowledgements: CINAHL

Reform and modernisation: developing a new service model for palliative care

Source: European Journal Palliative Care

Follow this link for the article.

Date of publication: May – June 2009

Publication Type: Online journal article

In a nutshell: Project in Northern Ireland to identify a community based, integrated, palliative care service model based on recognised needs of adults in the last year of life.

Length of Publication: 4 pages

Acknowledgement: CINAHL

Scotland plans palliative care summary

Source: E-Health Insider

Follow this link for article.

Date of Publication: September 2009

Publication Type: Website

In a nutshell: NHS National Services Scotland’s Annual Review has outlined plans to roll-out a national Palliative Care Summary (ePCS) during 2010. The record will contain twice daily automatic updates of information from GP practices to the emergency care record, from where information will be available to out-of-hours services, NHS 24 and Accident and Emergency services. he review says information contained in the record will include: “Key patient information on diagnosis, care arrangement and resuscitation status and will provide major benefits to a critical patient group.”

Acknowledgement: E-Health Insider

Statement by the Welsh Assembly – Palliative Care

Source: Health of Wales Information Service

Follow this link for the article

Date of Publication: October 2009

Publication Type: News Item

In a nutshell: Edwina Hart, Minister for Health and Social Services – Welsh Assembly, updated the Assembly Government with the latest developments in Palliative Care following a review led by Viv Sugar, Chair of the Welsh Consumer Council examining the core elements of a palliative care service for adults and children.

Acknowledgement: Health of Wales Information Service

Diversity topics tackled with new toolkit for children’s hospice services

Source: Children’s Hospices UK

Follow this link for webpage

Date of Publication: October 2009

Publication Type: Website

In a nutshell: A new toolkit was launched 12 October to help children’s hospice services address the challenges and barriers faced in delivering services to children, young people and families from diverse communities. The Children’s Hospices UK Diversity Toolkit aims to equip children’s hospices with the knowledge and expertise needed to provide for families from all cultures and backgrounds, no matter what their beliefs and customs.

Acknowledgement: Children’s Hospices UK

Visioning for secondary palliative care service hubs in rural communities: a qualitative case study from British Columbia’s interior

Source: BMC Palliative Care

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of Publication: October 2009

Publication Type: Online article

In a nutshell: With an aging population across many developed nations, it is essential to enhance palliative care delivery to meet anticipated demand. Rural areas face a number of challenges in terms of health service provision and consideration must be given to delivering services in ways which are sensitive to their particular needs. This article determines the vision for establishing secondary palliative care service hubs (SPCH) in rural communities In British Columbia, Canada, through undertaking a case study and ascertaining the criteria under consideration when siting such hubs.

Length of Publication: 11 pages

Acknowledgements: BMC Palliative Care

Further Dissemination

End of Life Care Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 1 Issue 8

Quality Markers for children and young people’s palliative care services

Source: ACT

Link to web article

Link to Quality Markers report

Date of Publication: September 2009

Publication Type: Web article

In a nutshell: ACT has developed a series of Quality Markers which aim to support both providers and commissioners of services across the whole children’s palliative care sector as they strive to improve this quality of care. 

Document Length: 2 pages

End of life care strategy: hospice capital programme

Source: Help the Hospices

Link to web article

Date of Publication: September 2009

Publication Type: Webpage

In a nutshell: The funding for the End of Life Care Strategy in England included a £40 million hospice capital programme to improve adult hospice care. Hospices will be invited to submit proposals for projects that will improve the care environment for patients, their families and carers. The funding will be available for projects starting in April 2010 with a completion deadline of 31 March 2011.

Acknowledgement: Help the Hospices

GP and nurses’ perceptions of how after hours care for people receiving palliative care at home could be improved: a mixed methods study

Source: BMC Palliative Care 2009, 8:13  Follow this link for the full article

Date of Publication: 14 September 2009

Publication Type: Research article

In a nutshell: This study carried out in Australia investigates the gaps in care from the perspective of GPs and Palliative Care nurses. Questionnaires developed from an earlier phase of this project were distributed to staff in both urban and rural practices. Some of the gaps identified could only be met by long term funding and policy change. Education and training of Palliative Care professionals was identified as an area for improvement as was the development of advance care plans and greater communication between members of multidisciplinary teams to enhance after hours service provision for patients receiving palliative care at home.

Length of Publication: 29 pages

Key stakeholders’ experiences and views of the NHS End of Life Care Programme: findings from a national evaluation.

Source:  Palliative Medicine, 2009, 23/4, p.283-294   02692163

Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication:  June 2009

Publication type:  Article.

In a nutshell: This article reports on the qualitative component of a national evaluation of the NHS End of Life Care Programme involving a range of stakeholders and focussing on implementation, impact and sustainability.  Positive results are discussed in the light of widely shared concerns about sustainability and this is discussed in light of the recently launched End of Life Care strategy.

Length of publication:  12 pages.

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement:  NHS Evidence.

Measuring outcomes in palliative care: limitations of QALYs and the road to PalYs.

Source: Journal of Pain and Sympton Management, 2009, 38;1, p.81-6  08853924   Follow this link for abstract.

Date of publication:  July 2009

Publication type:  Article

In a nutshell:  This article assesses the possible reasons for the paradox that arises when the most widely used measure of outcomes, the quality-adjusted life year (QALY) is employed when assessing complex interventions, such as palliative care.  Other possible approaches leading to the development of a palliative care yardstick (PalY) are explored.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Acknowledgement:  NHS Evidence

Developing a template to plan palliative care services: the Welsh experience.

Source:  Journal of Pain & Symptom Management, 01 July 2009, 38,1(81-86), 08853924

Follow this link for  abstract

Date of publication:  July 2009

Publication type:  Journal article.

In a nutshell:  The article provides an overview of how the NHS funding to the voluntary sector for the provision of palliative care in Wales has worked.  It examines the process used for gathering information which constitutes the evidence base for the formula which ensures the equitable provision of palliative care services.

Length of publication:  6 pages

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article.   Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement:  NHS Evidence

How advocates use health economic data and projections: the Irish experience.

Source:  Journal of Pain & Symptom Management, 01 July 2009, vol./is. 38/1(97-104), 08853924

Follow this link for abstract

Date of publication:  July 2009

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  In the context that demand for Palliative Care Services is set to double in Ireland by 2016, national voluntary groups formed a joint advocacy alliance in 2006.  Their original aim was to influence  government to address regional inequalities in health service provision and this resulted in significant public investment in palliative care services and the recent publication by the national health agency of a five-year plan for a comprehensive national palliative care service.  However, in light of recent economic pressures which threaten the plan the joint advocacy group has used re-focussed it’s attention and produced good quality international economic data evidence to show that development of palliative care services can save money in health budgets.   

Length of publication:  8 pages

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article.   Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement:  NHS Evidence