Update – COVID-19
The NHS in Gloucestershire has developed this leaflet on bereavement during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please note that as the situation is constantly evolving, advice contained within may be subject to change, so do check back regularly for updates and visit our One Gloucestershire website for more information about our ‘Every Name a Person’ campaign.
Palliative and End of Life Care
The NHS can help support an individual and their family if they are facing the end of their life. This includes providing specialist and general palliative care services, access to a hospice or providing care in the home.
Our vision for Palliative and End of Life care was developed in partnership with individuals, their families and carers.
Our aim is to provide high quality palliative and end of life care to the population of Gloucestershire, following the National Framework on Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life care, supporting people who are recognised as entering the last 12 months of their lives, to have a dignified and peaceful death in the place of their choice.
The term ‘palliative care’ is often associated with end of life, but it is important to emphasise that this is not necessarily the case. Palliative care is about supporting patients to control symptoms in potentially life-limiting conditions.
The Specialist Palliative Care Team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is made up of doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, specialist nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and psychologists.
Hospice and Hospice at home care
There are several providers of hospice or hospice at home care in Gloucestershire.
Great Oaks Dean Forest Hospice
Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice
Friends of Fairford and Lechlade Communities
Advance Care Planning and ReSPECT
Advance Care Planning (ACP) can help you prepare for the future. It’s a process of discussion between you and those who provide care for you, for example your nurses, doctors, care home manager or family members.
If you are living with a serious illness or disability, you may wish to think about and record your preferences and wishes for future care and treatment, particularly if you become unable to make decisions for yourself.
In addition to Advance Care Plans, the ReSPECT process supports patients to consider what treatment and care they might want in an emergency, at a time when they may not be able to make decisions or express their wishes.
The ReSPECT plan, agreed in discussion with your health care professionals and other people important to you, stays with you at all times, whether that’s at home or elsewhere. Professionals such as ambulance crews, out-of-hours doctors, care home staff and hospital staff will be better able to make quick decisions about how best to help you if they can see your ReSPECT form in an emergency.
Find out more about ReSPECT here or speak to your health care team.
Bereavement
The death of a loved one can be devastating. NHS Choices contains a lot of useful information and support for coping with bereavement, including:
There are lots more resources on the NHS.uk website, here.
If you need support, Your Circle Gloucestershire have contact details for many organisations, both locally and nationally, who can help you to cope with bereavement.
Free Resources
- What to Do After Death
- Support for carers looking after someone at the end of their life (currently being reviewed)
- Grieving the loss of someone (currently being reviewed)
- Coping with dying leaflet
- Covid – Bereavement Support Leaflet
Resources for professionals
Please note there is an End of life Care Training framework for those working within Gloucestershire, which is currently under review.
Please contact glccg.endoflifeteam@nhs.net for more details and support.
Countywide Palliative and End of life Care training – a countywide approach. Training programme to follow.
EOLC – Resources ordering (for professionals)
Useful links
Free e learning around end of life care here.
Ambitions for end of life care here (waiting for national update)
Common Core principles and competences for social care and health workers working with adults at the end of life here and supporting education framework for common core competencies (Skills for Care) here
Shared Care Plan and user guidance.
Dementia Training can be accessed via the Glos County Council website, here.