Background Schwartz Rounds (SR) are structured group reflective forums which provide an opportunity for staff across all disciplines to share and reflect on emotional aspects of their work, supporting a humanised health care system (Point of Care Foundation. Impact report 2023: How we supported a more humanised health care system in 2023. 2024). The purpose of SR is to explore, through storytelling, challenges and rewards fundamentally embedded within care delivery with the felt shared emotion associated, whilst not directly problem-solving clinical elements of patient care.

Aims Acknowledging staff psychological morbidity within a hospice palliative care setting (Koh, Chong, Neo, et al. Palliat Med. 2015; 29:633–642; Papworth, Ziegler, Beresford, et al. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2023;13:e597-e611), through the COVID pandemic and beyond, we aimed to implement and embed SR within organisational culture to enable role reflection, demonstrate compassion shared between teams and for teams to be supported in the work they do, alongside existing support mechanisms.

Methods Four staff members from varying disciplines within the organisation were trained in SR facilitation. A bi-monthly steering group formed, and clinical lead identified, all crucial in SR function and process. With mentorship from the Point of Care Foundation, SR began online during COVID restrictions, moving onto in-person rounds facilitated bimonthly. Timings of SR and topics were varied to be inclusive. Outcome measures were used to gather feedback and inform future round topics.

Results Between 2020 and 2024, 17 rounds were facilitated with an average attendance of 27 participants. Steering group function enabled identifying potential storytellers and provided ongoing momentum. Round themes are presented including ‘It’s ok to not be ok’ and ‘An Inspirational Encounter’ with an example story. Obstacles to implementation and delivery are explored. Favourable qualitative themes and quantitative outcome feedback are presented along with the potential impact on overall staff engagement and satisfaction.

Conclusion SR have become embedded within our organisational culture and continue to be well attended with good outcomes. The organisation continues to succession plan to enable uninterrupted delivery of SR moving forwards.