Toolkit for Compassionate End-of-Life Care

IHF  new free toolkit for those delivering end-of-life care as COVID-19 surges

Supporting people to die well in the circumstances now faced in health and residential care settings, is an enormous challenge. Infection control measures and strict visiting restrictions, although vital, mean the empathetic and high standards of end-of-life care that is the norm in these settings are being impacted.

Developed in consultation with healthcare staff in acute hospitals, residential care, and nursing home sectors, and those working in bereavement support and education, the Toolkit includes resources and guidance on subjects like communicating through PPE, care of the dying person, supporting the bereaved, and self-care for staff.

 Exploring the Interface of Oncology and Palliative Care in Ireland

Abstract: Aims To explore the integration and delivery of oncology led referrals to palliative care (PC) by examining physician attitudes and referral practices. Methods An online survey was circulated to oncologists and PC physicians in Ireland. Results The study (N = 100) comprised sixty-nine oncologists (69%) and thirty-one PC physicians (31%). Ninety-two(92%) believe patients with advanced cancer should receive concurrent treatment, however only 53% of oncologists(N = 37) routinely refer. Regarding end-of-life (EOL) care: 81% of oncologists (N = 55) are directly involved in its administration, despite 84% (N = 53) agreeing patients benefit when PC specialists coordinate EOL care. Conclusion The gulf between positive attitudes and limited implementation suggests the need for interdisciplinary changes to facilitate integration of PC in clinical practice in Ireland'

Dying in acute hospitals: voices of bereaved relatives

 Abstract: Internationally there is an increasing concern about the quality of end-of-life care (EoLC) provided in acute hospitals. More people are cared for at end of life and die in acute hospitals than in any other healthcare setting. This paper reports the views of bereaved relatives on the experience of care they and the person that died received during their last admission in two university adult acute tertiary hospitals.

The Impact of Varying Levels of Advance Care Planning Engagement on Perceptions of the End-of-Life Experience Among Caregivers of Deceased Patients   - American Journal of Hospice and Palliative

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The desire to die in palliative care: A sequential mixed methods study to develop a semi-structured clinical approach - BMC Palliative Care | Online – 15 April 2020
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End-of-life decisions and care in the midst of a global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic - Intensive & Critical Care Nursing, 2020
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COVID-19: how nurses can facilitate advance care planning - Nursing Standard

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Building a medical undergraduate palliative care curriculum: Lessons learned - J Palliat Care. 2020 Apr 13
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Pursuing a Good Death in the Time of COVID-19 - Journal of Palliative Medicine
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A new online tool to help you plan ahead – Dr Kathryn Mannix

eHospice

Medical intervention: when will you call ‘stop’? - Farmers Journal

Alison O'Connor: Carers discuss the post-pandemic world they want for patients - Irish Examiner   

IHF  new free toolkit for those delivering end-of-life care as COVID-19 surges

 'Nobody is dying alone here': How one hospice is dealing with end of life care during the Covid-19 crisis – The Journal
Focusing on Saying Goodbye  -  Irish Times

First specialist palliative care facility for Wicklow opens - Irish Medical Times 27th January 2020

‘How to live and die well’: what I learned from working in an NHS hospice - Guardian 18th January 2020

More Americans Are Dying at Home Than in Hospitals - The New York Times 11 December 2019

How visualising death can help us accept it – video, The Guardian 12 December 2019

LETTER: Restored our faith in humanity and the health system - Southern Star 

Death does not need any euphemisms - The Guardian 

Doctors are torturing dementia patients at the end of their life. And it’s totally unnecessary - Washington Post [opinion]

Edinburgh to light up for hospices - Third Force News 

The ‘chronic sorrow’ of knowing your child will die - The Irish Times, November 5th 

End of life carers should have six months paid leave, say experts - University of Sheffield, November 4th 

‘I’m organising assisted dying as I lost my wife to motor neurone disease’ - The Guardian, November 2nd 

 Let down by 'agonising' end-of-life care, BBC, October 23rd