We would like to say thank you to everyone who attended the event.
Please see the presentation used in the meeting.
Attendees as a whole welcomed the introduction of the model of care and the 46 enhanced end-of-life care beds, appreciating the commitment to levelling up services. Discussions reflected broad support for the initiative, with several contributors providing valuable insights and raising pertinent questions to ensure the model's success.
Summary of key discussions and points raised
- Financial matters
- Contributors had questions about the financial aspects of the proposed model, including the source of funding and the clarity of financial planning
- One individual highlighted the lack of detailed financial information in the documents and the uncertainty about funding for palliative care
- Another emphasised the importance of financial modelling and the need for clear communication regarding the financial feasibility of options A and B.
- Staffing and recruitment Issues
- Staffing, particularly the recruitment and retention of consultants, was a significant topic
- Contributors discussed the difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, noting that losing consultants leads to operational challenges
- One speaker mentioned the impact of consultants leaving on the sustainability of services and the need to create attractive conditions for staff to work in newly established units.
- Population and bed capacity
- Attendees raised points about the adequacy of bed capacity in relation to the growing and aging population
- Contributors expressed the need to accurately estimate future needs, given the ongoing population growth and increased number of people living alone
- It was emphasised that planning should consider both current and future demographic trends.
- Hospice and end-of-life care
- Discussions focused on the role of hospices in providing end-of-life care
- Contributors explored how the proposed models would accommodate individuals requiring specialist care but not at the end of life
- The importance of offering a range of care options and the ability to choose where to receive care were highlighted.
- Integration of services
- The integration of specialist Hospice at Home teams with district nurses and other primary care services was discussed
- Contributors explored potential overlaps in responsibilities and the need for clear communication and coordination between different care providers
- Examples from other regions where Hospice at Home services were successfully integrated were cited as potential models to follow.
- Outcome monitoring and feedback
- Contributors emphasised the importance of monitoring patient experiences and outcomes to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed changes
- The use of national surveys, patient feedback, and Healthwatch were mentioned as tools for gathering data
- There was a call for standardized outcome measures and the digitalization of monitoring processes.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q1: Where will the funding for the new model come from?
- The funding will be determined through detailed financial modelling, which has been deemed affordable for both options A and B. Further information will be provided once the decision-making process is finalised.
Q2: How will staffing issues be addressed?
- Staffing plans include strategies for recruitment and retention, with a focus on creating attractive working conditions
- Lessons from previous successful unit openings will be applied to ensure staff stability.
Q3: How has population growth been factored into the planning?
- Population growth and demographic changes have been considered through extensive population monitoring and health feature statistics
- The planning includes provisions for both current and future needs.
Q4: What care options are available for individuals not at the end-of-life?
- The proposed model includes a range of care options from the beginning of diagnosis to end-of-life care
- The aim is to provide comprehensive support for all stages of care.
Q5: How will the integration of Hospice at Home teams with district nurses be managed?
- Integration plans will ensure clear communication and coordination between Hospice at Home teams and district nurses
- Successful models from other regions will be used as a blueprint.
Q6: How will patient experiences be monitored?
- Patient experiences will be monitored using national surveys, patient feedback, and collaboration with Healthwatch
- Standardised outcome measures and digital monitoring processes will be implemented.
Q7: What are the next steps in the decision-making process?
- The next steps include collecting feedback from consultations, preparing a report for the ICB, and finalizing the decision on the preferred option
- Implementation plans will follow, focusing on effective integration and monitoring of services.