PILOTS - Research and Testing

Having done a national survey of bereavement services in acute hospital trusts, local research is also being carried out in the pilot areas. Two local networking events were held in Hertfordshire and in Cornwall. Both these brought together some 50 knowledgeable local people involved with services at the time of death and in bereavement. These people were from NHS hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, emergency services, coroners, funeral services, community and charitable groups, local authorities, and other organisations.

The events took the form of an introduction and update to the project from a member of the steering group, followed by small workshops to gather information about: what services are provided now, where the gaps in service are perceived, what works well or what would bring improved provision, and information about innovative and best practice. These one day survey exercises, drawing on experiences and opinions of those most closely involved, were captured by workshop facilitators as a mapping and fact-finding exercise, to provide a local picture in some detail.

In Gloucester, there has been a paper-based survey with questionnaires to discover the extent and limitations of bereavement services across the county, to improve them and target training.

Other research includes a review of referral information, captured when bereaved people make that first call to seek bereavement support from community services. This is providing information about why people feel they need such help.

In Birmingham, Heart of England Hospital Foundation Trust plans to pilot a six-month test with bereavement support volunteers working within the bereavement offices. The proposal is to provide volunteers through the hospital’s database and training through Cruse in the form of a short course to ensure that volunteers feel competent and confident in giving support and empathy to relatives, carers and friends as and when a patient dies.

Other developments highlighted by pilot areas include a county bereavement support co-ordinator.

Findings from the national survey of NHS acute hospital trusts
Findings from the networking event with stakeholders in Hertfordshire
Findings from the networking event with stakeholders in Cornwall

National Audit Office, Value for Money Report - End of Life Care
The Department of Health End of Life Care Strategy and updates

Articles, reports and research on death and bereavement

See the REPORTS ON OUR NATIONAL STAKEHOLDER EVENTS

Back to the Bereavement Pathways Project introduction

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