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We care for 500 in patients and make more than 5,000 home visits a year.
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Award joy for our work with patients with learning difficulties
19 November 2009
Forward thinking work to improve end of life care for people with learning disabilities has earned Saint Francis Hospice the honour of receiving the first Linda McEnhill Award.
The hospice set up a group with local learning disability specialists two years ago to look at patient needs, particularly communication and support for carers. The group has created a better referral system for care, held training days and is now looking at improved bereavement support.
Janet Kirby, a hospice clinical nurse specialist who visits patients at home to assess their condition and is involved in the group, was presented with a framed certificate and wooden trophy at the National Network for Palliative Care of People with Learning Difficulties (NNPCPLD) conference on November 10th.
Linda McEnhill, a social worker who has worked in hospices and has an interest in care for people with learning difficulties, set up the award to mark her time as NNPCPLD chairman. It recognises an individual or team who has made a positive difference to the end of life care of people with learning disabilities.
Saint Francis Hospice was one of eight finalists and Dr Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, NNPCPLD Chair, told us “The judges were particularly impressed with the hospice’s commitment to support the necessary changes, including a fast track referral system and mandatory training for new staff. The way you have facilitated and supported collaborative working can be held up as a benchmark for best practice. Many congratulations to the whole team at Saint Francis Hospice for this wonderful achievement!”
Dr Corinna Midgley, Hospice Medical Director, who is involved in the widening access work, said: “I’m delighted our work with hospitals, GPs and learning disability teams has been recognised. We identified a gap in our knowledge of the needs of people with learning disabilities, as well as their understanding of what palliative care services are available to them at difficult times. Through this group we have improve our knowledge and that of the wider community, which is making a difference to patients and their families.”
She added: “I would like to thank group members, nurses Peng Ma and Jane Whitington, for nominating us for the award.”
