The role of the End of Life Doula is gathering pace across the UK. Discussions have taken place with commissioners in Croydon, GP clinical leads and the community geriatrician for Croydon to be a test bed for this exciting new role to support those people identified in the CORE20.

The word ‘doula’ comes from the Greek, ‘female helper’ or ‘woman who serves’. Alua Artha (Death Doula) wrote ‘There’s a lot of medical support in dying, and there’s some emotional support as well, … that death doulas do a great job of tying it all together.’ The role is undertaken by specifically trained individuals who can support people by:

• Being alongside, enabling the person to live the life that is left.

• Offering practical/emotional support.

• Being a point of contact for other services.

• Being an advocate when wishes need to be upheld.

• Coordinating personal visits.

• Having conversations ensuring death is approached without fear/loneliness.

St Christopher’s has initially recruited one doula to support people living in Croydon who are reaching the end of life to help reduce some of the existing health inequalities. The role will be focussing on positive outcomes for the person and the people who are important to them. This pilot will work closely with Compassionate Action utilising volunteers originating from the most deprived areas of Croydon:

• Those in mental health/learning disability/care homes.

• Homeless/refugees.

• Other minority groups.

• Prioritising those in the most deprived postcodes in Croydon.

The role will be carefully analysed by reviewing:

• Number of people supported by a doula who fit into the categories of inequality.

• Qualitative reports from users of the Doula’s support (user feedback).

• Reduced number of calls to other support services.

• Improved communication links between services.