SPPC response to COVID-19
In recent weeks the Scottish Partnership for
Palliative Care has re-aligned its work to focus on supporting good
palliative and end of life care in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on for more details...
We
are supporting health and social care professionals by
- Running
regular zoom meetings for clinicians. Through these meetings,
hospital staff and community healthcare staff keep abreast of the latest
national developments, and share with each other local developments.
These meetings are extremely well-attended despite the work
pressures being faced by clinicians, demonstrating their value as a
conduit for information sharing and peer support.
- Supporting the
development and updating of new Scottish Palliative Care guidelines
relating to COVID-19, and guidelines for pharmacists.
- Supporting
and encouraging information sharing and co-operation between Scottish
Government, special health boards and the various different sectors
involved in palliative and end of life care - hospitals, social care,
community healthcare, and hospices.
- Curating the
latest official guidance relating to palliative care and COVID-19 and
making it available on the SPPC website and in regular e-bulletins to
professionals.
We are
supporting communities and individuals by:
- publishing
public-facing information for people in Scotland who may be worried that they, or
someone they care about, is at increased risk of getting seriously ill and
potentially dying from COVID-19.
- supporting public
figures and the media to address common worries and misunderstandings
relating to palliative and end of life care and COVID-19.
- publishing an
online learning module for informal carers who want to know more about how
to support others through difficult times associated with ill health,
dying and bereavement.
- making
available 'compassionate communities' grants to support communities in
their work to reduce isolation and stay connected during this period of
social distancing.
- promoting and
acknowledging some of the innovative work being done by communities in
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, through our website and promoting
Compassionate Communities week.
- Bringing together
key people from relevant Scottish charities to provide peer support and
share information about charity responses to COVID-19.
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