Nurse-led support improves dementia care at end of life

Source: Journal of Dementia Care Vol. 19(6) p18-19

Date of publication: November 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: This article look at the role of the ‘Nurse Facilitator for End of Life Care (Dementia)’ which is aimed at improving end of life care in the community for people with dementia in Lambeth and Southwark. The time-limited role to enhance the end of life care skills of staff in nursing homes and in the community, including training on pain assessment and communication with other professionals, is described

Length of publication: 2 pages

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

A narrative literature review of the evidence regarding the economic impact of avoidable hospitalizations amongst palliative care patients in the UK

Source: Progress in Palliative Care 2011 v.19(6), p291-8

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Date of publication: November 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: This article carries out a  narrative review of the evidence relating to the potential economic impact of reducing avoidable admissions among palliative care patients in the UK. The article concludes that the evidence base from the UK relating to the economic impact of avoidable admissions in palliative care is limited. Although two recent retrospective studies suggest that there are currently high levels of avoidable admissions, the feasibility of avoiding such admissions and the full economic consequences of such changes have not been clearly demonstrated. Further evidence is needed to provide a more robust estimate of the extent to which the additional costs of providing high-quality community support are offset by reduced inpatient usage by palliative care patients.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important notes: Contact your local health library for a copy of this article. Follow this link to find your local health library.

National end of life care strategy: third annual report

Source:  National End of Life Care Programme

Follow this link for fulltext.

Date of publication: September 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Produced by the Department of Health, this comprehensive report on the National EoLC Strategy details progress over the last year in the context of significant political, organisational and financial changes.  New key drivers are identified and mechanisms to incorporate them into the programme are set out.  Chapters include: Meeting the challenges of EoLC; The information revolution for people approaching the end of life; Improving outcomes for people approaching the end of life (care planning, coordination and delivery and commissioning).  The next steps for the programme are described in detail. 

Length of publication: 82 pages

The future of UK palliative care: reflections on the recommendations of the Palliative Care Funding Review

Source: International Journal of Palliative Nursing Vol. 17(7) p316-319

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Date of publication: July 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: The recommendations of the Palliative Care Funding Review have potentially fundamental implications for the future of palliative care delivery in the UK. This article looks at the reasons why a new funding system is needed; defining the state’s responsibility for meeting palliative and end-of-life care needs; and implementation of the new funding system.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Some important notes: An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online. Follow this link to register for Athens.

Is the integration of services good or bad news for palliative care?

Source: European Journal of Palliative Care vol./is. 18/2(68-71)

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Date: March 2011

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: The concept of integrated services seems more and more appealing in a time of economic downturn. This article discusses some commentators warnings against an unrelenting drive towards integrated services without the evidence showing that they will work for the people that use them. Initiatives currently being piloted and models of integrated care being tested and evaluated are discussed.

Length of publication: 4 pages

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

How common are palliative care needs among older people who die in the emergency department?

Source: Emergency Medical Journal 2011 Vol. 28(6), p491-495

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Date: October 2010

Publication type: Article

Publication length: 5 pages

In a nutshell: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and nature of
palliative care needs in people aged 65 years or more (65+) who die in emergency departments (EDs). This was a retrospective analysis of routine hospital data from two EDs in South London. Palliative care needs identified by diagnosis and symptoms, and problems likely to benefit from palliative care documented in clinical records 3 months prior to the final ED attendance were extracted. The article concludes that there is considerable palliative care need among older people who ultimately died in the ED, of whom only a minority were known to palliative care services. More older people in need of palliative care must be identified and managed earlier to avoid future undesired admissions and deaths in hospital.

Some important notes: An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online. To register for Athens follow this link.

Marie Curie Delivering Programme Choice Spring 2011 Newsletter

Source: Marie Curie Delivering Programme Choice

Follow this link to access the newsletter

Publication Date: Spring 2011

Publication Type: Newsletter

Publication Length: 13 Pages

In a nutshell: The latest newsletter from Marie Curie Delivering Programme Choice which highlights a number of pilot projects and service initiatives in end of life care service provision.

Transitions to palliative care in acute hospitals in England: qualitative study

Source: BMJ  2011; 342:d1773

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Date: March 2011

Publication Type: Article

Publication Length:7 pages

In a nutshell: This qualitative study explores how transitions to a palliative care approach are perceived to be managed in acute hospital settings in England. The article concludes that significant barriers to implementing a policy of structured transitions to palliative care in acute hospitals were identified by health professionals in both primary and secondary care. These need to be addressed if current UK policy on management of palliative care in acute hospitals is to be established.

What are the key challenges facing palliative care internationally in the next 10 years?

Source: International Journal of Palliative Nursing, v.16(7) p316-9

Date: July 2010

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Publication type: Article

Publication length: 4 pages

In a nutshell: Areas for development in Palliative Care (PC) in the next 10 years have been highlighted by Edinburgh University’s Primary PC Research Group at the 2010 UK Palliative Care Congress. Areas discussed are:

• Provision for all life-threatening illnesses
• Early referral to palliative care
• Inclusion of spirituality in palliative care
• Equality of access to palliative care
• Increased palliative care availability in poorer countries

Some important notes: An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online. To register for NHS Athens follow this link.

UK provides best end of life care – Economist Intelligence Unit

Source: NEoLCP

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Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The Economist Intelligence Unit has published the first End of Life Care global study. The study ranks 40 countries’ provision of end of life care. The UK was reported as providing the best End of Life Care. The quality of death: ranking end-of-life care across the world, commissioned by the Lien Foundation, provides a snapshot of end of life care, scoring countries on 24 indicators including access to hospice care, the level of government involvement and public awareness. The report