Edge Hill partnership with hospice sees transforming effect in end-of-life care

Edge Hill University and Southport’s Queenscourt Hospice have launched a module to teach professionals and those delivering frontline services how to provide the best possible state-of-the-art care.

Over 25 professionals working in hospitals, hospices and community settings gathered at the Hospice last week to begin their module in ‘Transforming Integrated Palliative and End of Life Care’.

Professor Barbara Jack (pictured), Head of Research in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at Edge Hill University, said: “This course builds on the professionals’ existing knowledge and will help them review the evidence for assessment, symptoms and management of terminally ill patients and those approaching end of life care.

“By localising national guidance professionals will be better equipped to use local services and involve individuals in decisions about their care.

“There are also key elements of the course looking at ethics, spiritual needs, bereavement and caring for the needs of the families and carers of the individual. Things that are often forgotten or missed during this critical time.”

Using scenarios based around a fictional street and its families to put theory into practice, peer presentation and case discussions, the master’s level module can be taken as part of Postgraduate studies or standalone.

Dr Karen Groves, Medical and Education Director at Queenscourt, said: “Palliative and end of life care is crucial to those who have need of it. We have only one chance to get it right for patients and their families and we know that many staff are very keen to do their very best. Yet many feel they do not have knowledge, confidence or skills to ensure the care they provide is ‘state of the art’.

“This interactive, clinically focused course covers all the key components of holistic palliative and end of life care, to enable enthusiastic frontline professionals to provide the finest possible care for the patient and their family.”

Edge Hill University has had a long association with Queenscourt and has recently evaluated their Hospice at Home Service, assessing the views of patients, professionals and bereaved carers and family members.

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