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Abstract
Introduction Significant challenges facing the bereavement support service, post-pandemic:
1.4 WTE, for both counselling and bereavement support.
One–to–one bereavement support actively offered to all relatives of deceased patients.
Long and complex assessment tool.
No triage in place.
No limit on sessions, concerns we were fostering dependency.
Waiting time of up to 15 months.
Limited training supporting families.
No evaluation of service impact.
Aims
Implement effective bereavement support within current capacity using a layered approach.
Streamline assessment process.
Introduce triage of those waiting for support.
Reduce waiting list to maximum 12 week wait.
Develop offer for family bereavement support.
Introduce evaluation of service impact.
Methods
Staff engagement sessions.
Bereavement pack directs people to self–help resources.
Implement self–referral process for bereavement support.
Implement one–off ‘understanding your grief’ sessions.
Review assessment tool.
Limit number of one–to–one sessions – maximum 12.
Re–engage and train bereavement volunteers.
Provide groups session.
Partnership working with Child Bereavement UK.
Hosting a bereavement café at the hospice.
Results
Layered approach to support reduced the need for one–to–one sessions.
Staff able to organise workload effectively – reduced stress and anxiety.
Waiting list now 2–4 weeks.
Provided over 40 one–off grief sessions.
New assessment tool implemented.
Effective triage of need.
Training and resources provided for family support, pre– and post– bereavement.
Introduction of ‘A Day to remember’ for families.
Provision of bi–monthly bereavement café.
Evaluation identifies effective service provision.
Results Next steps Develop more group support opportunities. Develop partnerships with social groups in the area.
Conclusion Service redesign allowed the bereavement service to focus provision of services to those most in need within limited capacity.