Community Palliative Care Team
Supporting private nursing homes to improve the quality
of end of life care for their residents
The ageing demographic in Northern Ireland suggests that people are living longer with increasing
needs of care. Nursing and residential homes are increasingly the place where people nearing the
end of life will live and be cared for until their death. Many of these residents are living with multiple
chronic conditions and therefore require more complex interventions.
Policy highlights the need for care providers to have up to date knowledge and skills in providing
symptom control and comfort to these residents (Department of Health Social Services and Public
Safety DHSSP 2013). However, research suggests there are knowledge gaps and a need for further
training (Whittaker et al 2006; Brazil et al 2012).
The evidence would also suggest that traditional
training alone does not change practice or
cultures (McCormack et al 2013).
The Palliative Care Education Facilitators in the
Trust undertook a research study to explore if a
Practice Development (PD) programme would
enhance person-centred end of life care and
improve the experience of the caregivers in terms
of acquired knowledge, skills and confidence in
caring for residents at the end of their life.
Participating Staff from Kingsway Private
Nursing Home, Dunmurry and Kingsland Care
Centre, Care Home, Bangor.
The research study concentrated on
4 key areas:
• Symptom Management
- Maintaining comfort and wellbeing
• Overarching Values and
Knowledge - Developing self and
others
• Communication Skills - Open and
sensitive communication
• Assessment and Care Planning
- Holistic assessment.
The results of the study were very encouraging, enhancing the caregiver's confidence to care in
many aspects of palliative care.
Symptom
Management
Overarching
Values and
Knowledge
Assessment
and Care
Planning
Communication
Skills
4 Key Areas
Primary Care and Older People 10