QIPP End of Life Care Event Report: Great Practice showcase

Source: National End of Life Care Programme

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Date of publication: April 2012

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell:  Showcasing best practice, this event brought together End of Life Care commissioners, End of Life Care education leads, service managers and clinical practitioners to share learning about the tools available to deliver the QIPP challenge in this sector.  Key learning is summarised and there is an overview of the presentations and links to case studies and marketplace exhibitors.

Length of publication: 15 pages

Communication diary to aid care at the end of life

Source: Nursing Times, 2012, 108, (17), p.24-27

Date of publication: April 2012

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: This articles describes an action-research study which aimed to develop and test the “Relatives’/carers’ diary” tool from the Liverpool Care pathway.  The tool is aimed at reducing communication barriers between patient’s families or carers and healthcare staff in order to enable relatives to be able to participate usefully in end of life care and for healthcare staff to respond quickly to concerns or issues about all elements of care including pain management, quality of care.

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.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Older people living alone at the end of life in the UK: research and policy challenges

Source: Palliative Medicine,  2011, vol./is. 25/6(650-657), 0269-2163 (2011)

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Date of publication: September 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: In light of recent emphasis on place of death in UK policy, this article reviews some of the challenges faced by older people who live alone towards the end of life.  The implications of issues that impact on opportunity to achieve their preferred place of death are addressed including, finances, support mechanisms and the home environment.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: This article is available in full text to all NHS Staff using Athens, for more information about accessing full text follow this link to find your local NHS Library 

Acknowledgement: BNI 

End-of-life preferences in advanced cancer patients willing to discuss issues surrounding their terminal condition

Source: European Journal of Cancer Care

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Date of publication: April 2012

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: The aim of the study is to describe end-of-life preferences of advanced cancer patients willing to talk about death issues. Eighty-eight advanced cancer patients were interviewed through End of Life Preferences Interview (ELPI), a 23-item interview covering a wide range of end-of-life care issues. Most interviewed subjects were home care patients. The article concludes that ELPI can be a useful instrument to adapt the model of care to the specific needs and values of each patient.

Some important notes: This article is only available online at present. For assistance in obtaining a copy of this article, please contact your local NHS Library. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

 

Open to all?: Meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people nearing the end of life

Source: National Council for Palliative Care

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: ‘Open to all? Meeting the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people nearing the end of life’, provides a unique insight into perceptions of end of life care for the 22,000 LGB&T people who die each year. Many LGB&T people do not feel that end of life care services are open to them and are concerned that they will face discrimination and a lack of understanding from health and social care providers when they are dying. The report highlights that older LGB&T people may face particular problems, especially if they have not felt able to be open about their identity previously.

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

Deaths from liver disease: Implications for end of life care in England

Source: National end of life care Intelligence Network

Follow this link to download the full report

Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This report presents the latest data on place of death for those with liver disease and shows how this varies with sex, age, region, socioeconomic deprivation and place. It is aimed at commissioners and providers of end of life care, clinicians caring for patients with liver disease, and others concerned with providing quality end of life care for this patient group, including patients themselves and their carers.

Length of publication: 36 pages

‘That’s part of everybody’s job’: the perspectives of health care staff in England and New Zealand on the meaning and remit of palliative care

Source: Palliative Medicine v.26(3) p.232-241

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Date of publication: April 2012

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: This article aims to explore understandings of, and perceived roles in relation to, palliative care provision amongst generalist and specialist health care providers in England and New Zealand.

Length of publication: 10 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

Cultural considerations in planning palliative and end of life care

Source: Palliative Medicine v.26(3) p195-6

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Date of publication: April 2012

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: This article examines the  cultural dimensions of palliative care and considers that in the future, cultural factors are going to play just as strong a part in shaping end-of-life care around the world as will policies, professional ideologies and service configurations. Putting culture at the centre of palliative care will be a key determinant of efficacy and sustainability.

Length of publication: 2 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

Focusing on the needs of older carers at the end of life

Source: National End of Life Care Programme

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Case study

In a nutshell:  A joint initiative which began in August 2010 between the Department of Health and Age UK aims to support older carers of people at the end of life so that preferred place of care and preferred place of death are achieved. Carers practical and emotional needs are addressed. The project includes the development of a toolkit which will be available to other organisations who wish to use this model.  The final report will be available in September 2013.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Acknowledgement: National End of Life Care Programme

Committed to carers: Supporting carers of people at the end of life

Source: Marie Curie Cancer Care

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This comprehensive report includes chapters on:

• the support provided by Marie Curie
• the impact on carers of caring for someone who is dying
• access to information and advice – including financial support
• place of care and place of death – home, hospice or hospital and achieving preferred place of death
• bereavement – including practical things and bereavement support
• summary and recommendations.

Length of publication: 24 pages

Palliative and end of life rapid discharge pathway

Source: National End of Life Care Programme

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Case study

In a nutshell: In 2009 the University Hospital of North Staffordshire introduced a palliative and end of life rapid discharge pathway for patients in or approaching the terminal phase of their illness.  Discharge is arranged at the earliest opportunity, usually within days or hours.  It is already having a significant impact with around 45 patients a quarter discharged in this way. Unanticipated benefits include the development of strong working relationships between secondary and primary care,  new services being developed and the development of the role of clinical champions for every clinical area who help spread good practice (there are 50 at present).

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Acknowledgement: National End of Life Care Programme

End of life care training for paramedics in west Essex

Source: National End of Life Care Programme

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Case Study

In a nutshell: A hospice run training programme in Romford on end of life care  for paramedics has resulted in a reduction in avoidable hospitalizations. The training sessions cover subjects such as just in case boxes, medication, syringe drivers, GSF, LCP, PPC and general trouble-shooting.  One outcome has been an improvement in partnership working within the community teams.  Additionally, a booklet containing examples of best practice and examples of end of life care scenarios has been produced and is now carried by all paramedics in Romford.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Acknowledgement: National End of Life Care Programme

Developing end of life care practice: A guide to workforce development to support social care and health workers to apply the common core principles and competences for end of life care

Source: National End of Life Care Programme

Follow this link to downaload the full report

Date of publication: February 2012

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This guidance has been developed to ensure that workers involved in supporting someone who is at the end of their life are properly trained to be able to undertake their work effectively and appropriately.

Length of publication: 41p.

Acknowledgement: National End of Life Care Programme

Critical success factors that enable individuals to die in their preferred place of death

Source: National End of Life Care Programme

Follow this link to download the full report

Date of publication: February 2012

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Based on contributions from end of life care commissioners and providers of services within seven Primary Care Trusts, the report is intended as a starting point to help those commissioning and planning services to see what has worked well in other areas.

The factors that are considered critical are (not ranked):

• Strong commissioning and clinical leadership
• Use of nationally recognised drivers that attract payment – LES and CQUINs
• Flexible budgets and care packages
• Use of nationally recognised tools or their local equivalent – ACP, GSF, LCP, PPC, ADAs and CHC Fast Track Pathway
• Shared electronic information systems
• Clearly defined access to 24 hour cover
• Development of care homes
• Use of facilitator roles and co-ordination of care across boundaries
• Training to support staff delivering end of life care.

Length of publication: 88p.

Acknowledgement: National End of Life Care Programme