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Abstract
Background There is ongoing concern about the variable access to supportive and end of life care (EOLC) and many individuals are not receiving support at the point of need. To try to overcome these inequalities a national framework was introduced in England to improve end of life care through partnership and collaboration between organisations at a local level (NHS England. Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care: A national framework for local action 2021–2026. 2021) which is supported by Hospice UK (Hospice UK Future Vision Programme: Discovery phase. 2020).
Aim To establish a group to identify areas of collaboration to improve end of life care pathways across one locality in Kent, ideally at no cost.
Method The ‘Need to Do Something’ Group was set up in September 2023, led by the hospice in the locality alongside other key professionals e.g. from primary, community and secondary care. Each member agrees to identify areas of collaboration and process or system improvement within their own organisation and report activity to their respective Boards.
Results Outcomes from the group to date are:
Development of an end of life charter to which everybody involved in supportive and end of life care in a patient’s last year of life must subscribe.
A directory of all relevant services in the locality, to aid understanding of who can provide what when to whom.
Practical changes in how services work, based on sharing of experiences, understanding and awareness of gaps and availability of services.
Working to ensure that all providers have access to a mutually accessible electronic care record.
Conclusion The ‘Need to Do Something’ Group used a Task & Finish approach and locality-wide agreement to increase understanding and collaborative working between organisations delivering palliative and end of life care. Future focus for the group will involve facilitation of mutual education and shared experiences. The improved collaboration supports the promotion of the hospice as a service for many rather than just for those selected few who are known to the hospice.