Conceptualising effective symptom management in palliative care: a novel model derived from qualitative data

Source: BMC Palliative Care 2022, 21:17

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: February 2022

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: This article looks at a new model which was derived from gathering data about what helps symptom management and what barriers are experienced in specialist palliative care in UK hospices.

Length of publication: 12 pages

Symptom reduction in palliative care from single session mindful breathing: a randomised controlled trial

Source: BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care 2021, (11): 433-439

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: November 2021

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: The aim of this study was to look at the effectiveness of one 20 minute mindfulness breathing session to help reduce multiple symptoms in adult palliative care patients.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Supporting carers to manage pain medication in cancer patients at the end of life: A feasibility trial

Source: Palliative Medicine

Follow this link for fulltext 

Date of publication: July 2017

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: This article discusses a nurse-led intervention to help carers with medication management, and evaluated its use in routine practice.  The Cancer Carers’ Medicines Management (CCMM) intervention addresses carers’ beliefs, knowledge and skills and promotes self-evaluation of competence. It centres on a structured conversational process between a nurse and carer.  The research showed that the CCMM intervention compared favourably with current practice as it offered a more systematic and comprehensive approach to supporting carer management of pain medicines.

Length of publication: 11 pages

Successful launch of North Manchester Macmillan Palliative Care Support Service

Source: Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Follow this link for the fulltext press-release

Date of publication: October 2015

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: The North Manchester Macmillan Palliative Care Support Service (NMMPCSS) was launched September 21 2015. The £560k service is part of the Macmillan Cancer Improvement Partnership (MCIP) and has been developed through a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support, the Manchester Clinical Commissioning Groups, The Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust, and St Ann’s Hospice. The service provides

• Round-the-clock telephone advice, as well as visits and care in the home;
• Dedicated professionals working together with patients and carers – seven days a week from 8am to 8pm
• An open referral system for patients, carers and professionals. (Patients can refer themselves to the service)
• Help with managing problems such as pain, sickness, breathlessness, and psychological and emotional support
• Ways for people to talk about what is important to them in their care
• Extra help at home when things are difficult, bringing support to carers

 

Is dying in hospital better than home in incurable cancer and what factors influence this? A population-based study

Source: BMC Medicine 2015, 13:235

Follow this link for the full-text article

Date of publication: October 2015

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: This study aims to determine the association between place of death, health services used, and pain, feeling at peace, and grief intensity.  The authors determined factors influencing death at home, and associations between place of death and pain, peace, and grief. Findings suggest that dying at home is better than hospital for peace and grief, but requires a discussion of preferences, GP home visits, and relatives to be given time off work.

Length of publication: 14 pages

 

Glasgow and Lothian Partnership Case Study: Getting people home with the support they need

Source: Marie Curie

Follow this link for the case study

Date of publication: September 2015

Publication type: Case Study

In a nutshell: The Marie Curie Fast-track Service offers short day and evening visits at home to provide health and personal care to people living with a terminal illness in Glasgow and Lothian. The service is for people nearing the end of their lives who are at risk of admission as well as those in hospital needing more care before discharge.

Length of publication: 2 pages

 

Fife Partnership Case Study: Tailored care and support for people at home

Source: Marie Curie

Follow this link for the case study

Date of publication: September 2015

Publication type: Case Study

In a nutshell: The Marie Curie Fife Service provides tailored palliative care and support at home for people living with a terminal illness and their families. This is made possible by working with NHS Fife and Fife Council, as well as voluntary and private organisations. Working with local services, GPs and district nurses, the Marie Curie Fife Service offers tailored care to people with any terminal illness. This includes nursing care at home, personal care after discharge from hospital, emotional support and practical information. The service can prevent crisis hospital admissions and help those in hospital be discharged more quickly.

Length of publication: 2 pages

 

Increasing the number of people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background accessing palliative care services

Source: NHS Improving Quality

Follow this link for the full-text report

Date of publication: August 2015

Publication type: Case study

In a nutshell: In September 2012, Marie Curie employed a keyworker at its Cardiff and the Vale hospice to work with people in local Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to improve awareness of palliative care and to increase access.

Length of publication: 3 pages

 

End of life care improving according to report

Source: Public Health England

Follow this link for the press release

Date of publication: June 26th

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: The ‘What We Know Now 2014’ report suggests a growing understanding within the health sector of what is important to people at the end of life. The report finds that home continues to be the preferred place of death for people in England, followed by hospices and care homes. The proportion of people dying at home or in care homes has increased from 35% (166,749) in 2004 to 44% (207,764) in 2013. The number of people dying in hospitals has dropped by 50,000 since 2004. In 2013, this was less than half of all deaths (227,748).

The factors most important to people at the end of their life are having pain and other symptoms managed effectively, being surrounded by loved ones and being treated with dignity.

 

Non-cancer palliative care in the community needs greater interprofessional collaboration to maintain coordinated care and manage uncertainty

Source: Evidence-based Nursing 2015 v.18(3) p79

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: July 2015

Publication type: Article

In a nutshell: Patients with non-cancer conditions often experience community palliative care as inadequate and in need of planning and innovation. The perspectives of three main groups (patient, formal and informal carers) might help understand expectations and conflicts. This review aimed to identify, appraise and synthesise the evidence on views about the provision of palliative care for patients with non-malignant conditions by Palliative Care providers and to reveal any research gaps.

Length of publication: 1 page

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

 

Changing the conversation: Care and support for people with a terminal illness now and in the future

Source: Marie Curie

Follow this link for full report

Date of publication: April 2015

Publication type: report

In a nutshell: Marie Curie want to change the conversation about terminal illness in order not to fail vulnerable people when they need Marie Curie the most. Marie Curie believes the conversation needs to move on urgently to meet the growing challenges as the post-war generation moves beyond retirement age.

Length of publication: 16p.

 

The road ahead – National Council for Palliative Care Strategy 2015-2018

Source: NCPC

Follow this link for the strategy

Date of publication: May 2015

Publication type: Strategy document

In a nutshell: NCPC has published its official strategy for 2015-18

The new strategy has been agreed by NCPC’s Board of Trustees and affirms their vision for palliative and end of life care, demonstrates how they can play an important role in shaping  the future, and sets out the areas in which they will work to achieve these goals.

The Strategy highlights four priority areas of work:

• Changing attitudes
• Changing behaviour
• Improving Care and Support
• Improving Evidence and Intelligence

Length of publication: 7 pages

 

End of Life Care: Fifth report of Session 2014-15

Source: House of Commons Health Committee

Follow this link for the full report

Date of publication: March 2015

Publication type: Parliamentary report

In a nutshell: This report looks at the state of End of Life Care since the Independent Review of the Liverpool Care Pathway. This report makes a number of recommendations for improvement.

Length of publication: 54p.

 

What’s important to me: a review of choice in end of life care

Source: Choice in End of Life Care Programme Board

Follow this link for the full report

Date of publication: February 2015

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: The independently led Review of Choice in End of Life Care has provided advice to Government which includes: establishing a ‘national choice offer’ focused on individual’s end of life care needs by April 2020; providing an additional £130 million funding for end of life health and social care services; establishing 24/7 community end of life care by 2019 in all areas implementing shared electronic end of life care records by April 2018 in all areas; and a named responsible senior clinician for all people approaching the end of life.

Length of publication: 72p.