TY - JOUR T1 - Inequalities in awareness and availability of bereavement services in North-East England JF - BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care JO - BMJ Support Palliat Care DO - 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002422 SP - bmjspcare-2020-002422 AU - Donna Wakefield AU - Elizabeth Fleming AU - Kate Howorth AU - Kerry Waterfield AU - Emily Kavanagh AU - Hannah C Billett AU - Rachel Kiltie AU - Lucy Robinson AU - Grace Rowley AU - Jolene Brown AU - Elizabeth Woods AU - Felicity Dewhurst Y1 - 2020/09/22 UR - http://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2020/09/22/bmjspcare-2020-002422.abstract N2 - Objectives National guidance recommends equality in access to bereavement services; despite this, awareness and availability appears inconsistent. The aim of this study was to explore availability and accessibility of bereavement services across the North-East of England and to highlight issues potentially applicable across the UK, at a time of unprecedented need due to the impact of COVID-19.Methods Phase 1: an eight item, web-based survey was produced. A survey link was cascaded to all GP practices (General Practitioners) in the region. Phase 2: an email was sent to all services identified in phase 1, requesting details such as referral criteria and waiting times.Results All 392 GP practices in the region were invited to participate. The response rate was 22% (85/392). Twenty-one per cent (18/85) of respondents reported that they do not refer patients, comments included ‘not aware of any services locally’. A total of 36 services were contacted with 72% responding with further information. Most bereavement specific support was reliant on charity-funded services including hospices, this sometimes required a pre-existing link with the hospice. Waiting times were up to 4 months.Conclusions Although multiple different, usually charity-funded services were identified, awareness and accessibility were variable. This survey was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, where complex situations surrounding death is likely to impact on the usual grieving process and increase the need for bereavement support. Meanwhile, charities providing this support are under severe financial strain. There is an urgent need to bridge the gap between need and access to bereavement services. ER -