Priority 5 from the Palliative and end of life care PSP
| UNCERTAINTY: How can it be ensured that staff, including healthcare assistants, are adequately trained to deliver palliative care, no matter where the care is being delivered? Does increasing the number of staff increase the quality of care provided in all settings? To what extent does funding affect these issues? (JLA PSP Priority 5) | |
|---|---|
| Overall ranking | 5 |
| JLA question ID | 0026/5 |
| Evidence | |
| Health Research Classification System category | Generic |
| Extra information provided by this PSP | |
|---|---|
| Original uncertainty examples | The palliative care team allocated to [patients name] came from the local hospice. They were very good and part of the process works well. However they were qualified nurses, and well suited to the situation . Will there be a gold standard recommendation to guide hospital staff in the final days or hours of a person's life? ~ Could I as a health care assistant be trained to give injections to a family member as they approach the end of their lives? ~ Is there possibilities of funds for alternative therapy eg massage and aromatherapy for patients in their home, not just in hospice, and training for generic therapists to be more skilled for palliative patients? ~ Nurses are increasingly uncomfortable at not having skills or time to offer a more holistic approach. In particular they know they are to help with spiritual care but are not given training in this aspect. In hospice care this training should be mandatory for all staff in contact with patients. ~ Why is education /training in caring for the patient in the last days and hours not a mandatory session for all staff with a refresher every two years? |
| Submitted by | Bereaved Carers x 2 ~ Professionals x 6 |
| Outcomes to be measured | Patient Satisfaction; health related quality of life; health related cost. |
| PSP information | |
|---|---|
| PSP unique ID | 0026 |
| PSP name | Palliative and end of life care |
| Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. | 83 (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website) |
| Date of priority setting workshop | 21 November 2014 |