Revisions to DNACPR and CYPADM policies

Work to update the NHS Scotland policies for CPR towards the end of life is nearing completion. More information is available here: weblink.

HIS consultation on new model for reviewing the quality of care

Healthcare Improvement Scotland have launched a consultation on a new model for reviewing the quality of care.

National conversation on the future of health and social care in Scotland

Shona Robison has launched a national conversation on a healthier Scotland. The national debate will focus around three broad questions:

• What support do we need in Scotland to live healthier lives?
• What areas of health and social care matter most to you?
• Thinking about the future of health and social care services, where should our focus be?

More details on the National Conversation can be found on a new website and on Twitter:@scotgovhealth.

Scottish Parliament Motion

Motion S4M- 13732 - Boots, Macmillan Palliative Care and NHS Highland Partnership

New report calls for action to improve end of life care (England)
National Council for Palliative Care has published Time for Action, a new report calling for commissioners and decision-makers to take action to improve end of life care. In addition, it calls for a review of how end of life issues are dealt with across government departments.

NICE guideline consultation (England)
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a draft guideline on Care for the Dying Adult for consultation.

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New RCN resource: nutrition and hydration

The RCN has published a new learning resource focusing on nutrition and hydration to support nurses to deliver appropriate end of life care. A further learning resource looking more widely at end of life care issues has also been developed and will become available shortly.

Sharing Scottish Practice

This month the SPPC Sharing Scottish Practice blog features five posters displayed at the 2014 SPPC annual conference:

• The Role of an Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist with a Hospital Palliative Care Team: An Impact Assessment
• The Role of the Social Worker in Palliative Care
• The Use, Effectiveness and Acceptability of Telemedicine Interventions in the Provision of Palliative Care in Rural Populations
• This Is Me
• Understanding the barriers to identifying carers of people with supportive and palliative care needs in primary care

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Multiple and multi-dimensional transitions

The University of Nottingham, the University of Dundee and the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS) recently published Multiple and multi-dimensional transitions - Understanding the life transitions of young adults cared for by CHAS and the impact on their parents, siblings and professionals.

National survey of bereaved people (VOICES) published (England)

The Office of National Statistics has published the latest National Survey of Bereaved People, VOICES (Views of Informal Carers - Evaluation of Services).

The GW4 Network

The GW4 Alliance is a group of researchers from the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter working on a project looking at ‘Dying Well with Reduced Agency’. The aim of this project is to better understand end of life care for people with conditions such as dementia, brain injury or in advanced old age, who may have difficulty making decisions independently.

Quality of Life Project Grants

The Brain Tumour Charity has launched a funding scheme to address the issues highlighted in “Losing Myself: The Reality of Life with a Brain Tumour” and improve the quality of life of those diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Report on neurodegenerative disease research

The ‘Joint Programming Initiative on Neurodegenerative Disease Research’ (JPND) has published Palliative and end of life care research in neurodegenerative diseases, a report looking at palliative and end-of-life care research in neurodegenerative diseases.

Sue Ryder survey on bereavement

Sue Ryder has undertaken a survey looking at experiences of bereavement in the UK.

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Exploring the concept of need in people with very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a qualitative study

Marlyn Kendall, Susan Buckingham, Susie Ferguson, William MacNee, Aziz Sheikh, Patrick White, Allison Worth, Kirsty Boyd, Scott A Murray and Hilary Pinnock.

BMJ Support Palliat Care doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-000904

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SPPC Annual Conference 2015: From Worms, Butterflies and Veils to Outcomes

There are just a few weeks left to book a place at the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care Annual Conference, Scotland’s premiere event for anyone with an interest in palliative and end of life care. The conference will feature a mix of delegate interaction and high quality speakers, including:

The Worm at the Core –exploring death anxiety as the hidden driver of human behaviours and its implications for the practice of palliative care, for raising public awareness of end of life issues, and for leading lives of courage, creativity and compassion. Sheldon Solomon,Professor of Psychology at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Signal to Noise: Meeting palliative care needs of frail older people in hospital. Changing demographics plus inherent limits to planning and choice mean that many frail older people will spend time and die in hospital. There is therefore a need for a positive vision and a plan for what can be achieved. Deans Buchanan, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, NHS Tayside

Lifting the Veil on Breathlessness – Many people with refractory breathlessness (persistent despite optimal management of the underlying condition(s)) continue to manage this very common and difficult symptom largely without recourse to clinical help, despite recent advances in evidence and practice. What is to be done? Miriam Johnson, Professor of Palliative Medicine, Hull York Medical School.

Everyone’s Talking About Outcomes – but what precisely are they, why are they important; what and how should we measure in palliative and end of life care? Fliss Murtagh, Reader and Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Kings College London.

For more information and to book your place visit the website. Group and member discounts are available. The conference will take place on Wednesday 23 September 2015, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Life, Death, Grief gets practical

An event will be held in Edinburgh on 30th September, for people in Scotland who are interested in promoting more openness about death, dying and bereavement. The event includes an opportunity to win £250 to support participation in To Absent Friends this November. Delegates will also have the opportunity to:

• hear about Scottish initiatives relevant to promoting openness about death, dying and bereavement
• share ideas for developing work in this area in the future
• network with people who share an interest in this area

Attendance is free, but you need to book in advance. For more information about the programme for the day, and to book, visit our Eventbrite page: programme information and booking.

Will you enter the Dragon’s Den?

GLGDGG members are being invited to take part in our very own Dragon’s Den, as part of the above stakeholder event taking place in Edinburgh on 30th September.

Those who dare will have the opportunity to deliver a 5 minute pitch to fellow delegates, describing a project they’d like to undertake as part of To Absent Friendsthis year. Everyone present gets a vote, and the project with the most votes in a secret ballot at the end wins £250 to put the project into action. If you’d like to participate in Dragon’s Den, email Rebecca with a 250 word summary of the project you’d like to pitch by Wednesday 16th September.

SPPC response to Health & Sport Committee inquiry

The SPPC has submitted a response to the Scottish Parliament Health & Sport Committee's call for written views in relation to palliative care. Mark Hazelwood will also be attending an oral evidence session at the Scottish Parliament on 22 September.

Essence of a Memory competition

We’re running a competition in partnership with Luminate: Scotland's creative ageing festival which challenges people to take a photo and write up to 50 words which together evoke a story or memory of someone who has died but who remains important to you.

This is an important trailer event for To Absent Friends, so any support you can offer in promoting the competition through your own networks is much appreciated.

Death on the Fringe featured in the Independent

We were pleased to see Death on the Fringe featured in the Independent newspaper last week. Huge thanks go to Rob Peacock, volunteer director of Death on the Fringe for making this happen.

Good Funeral Awards

To Absent Friends website is a finalist in this year's GoodFuneral Awards for the category 'Best Internet Bereavement Resource'. Winners will be announced at an awards dinner in Winchester on the 5th September.

Complex nutritional standards

The Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care has submitted a response to the recent HIS consultation on draft Complex Nutritional Care standards.

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Statistics on GP out of hours services

ISD has published statistics on patients seen by GP Out of Hours services in Scotland.

Strathcarron Hospice

Strathcarron Hospice@Home has won the National Lottery Health Award. The award ceremony takes place on 11 September and will be televised on BBC1 on 21^st September.

Counselling service for families impacted by a drug-related death

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (Scottish Families) has launched a national Bereavement Counselling Service dedicated to families impacted by a drug-related death.

Survey on anticipatory and advance care planning

The Scottish Non Malignant Palliate Care Forum is seeking information about people’s views, understanding and use of anticipatory care plans and advance care planning, via an online survey by Friday 25^th September 2015.

Together for Short Lives online directory

If your organisation provides free services to children or young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families, you can add your details to the Together for Short Lives online directory.

Seven songs for a long life

As part of Hospice Care Week 2015, hospices across the UK are being invited to screen Seven songs for a long life, a feature documentary following six hospice patients, a nurse and a fund-raiser at Strathcarron Hospice. Alongside this will be the launch of an online campaign - #MyLastSong, encouraging people to share on social media a recording of them singing a song.

Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh: vacancies

Day Services Manager / AHP Lead : Band 7 F/T (Enquiries to Libby Milton, tel: 0131 470 2201 / 07730 193 874)

Community Clinical Nurse Specialist : Band 6 F/T

Community Staff Nurse : Band 5 F/T (would also suit job share)

(Enquiries to Liz Barker, Community Nurse Manager, tel: 0131 470 2201 / 07734 510 036)

Closing Date for all posts : 11th September 2015. Band 5/6 interviews will be held on 1st October 2015.

Certification of Death: statutory guidance

The Scottish Government has set out some of the key operational principles for the purposes of the Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011. This Guidance will be the basis for the detailed standard operating procedures set out by implementing organisations and, in particular, Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

In the media

The SPPC does not undertake a comprehensive media monitoring service. Listed below are some of the stories relevant to palliative and end of life care that have appeared in the media over the last month. For more media coverage relating to palliative and end of life care, check out the eHospice website.

BBC News: Is it time to help the hospices?

BBC News: Dying care: 'Improved' guidelines proposed

Evening Times: Celebrating 65 years of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice

The Herald: Grandmother claims hospice helped her survive to see her grandson

The Herald: New national CPR policy to be unveiled in September

The Herald: Hospice extends a helping hand to minority communities

The Herald: Former NHS chief warns Scotland is failing to plan for ageing population

The Herald: Face to Face: Sister Rita Dawson, chief executive of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, Clydebank

ITV News: Older cancer sufferers 'less likely' to get life-saving treatment, says charity

The Scotsman: Better palliative care is top priority

The Scotsman: Happy to be going that extra mile

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In each issue of Update we try to end with something a little bit thought provoking or different. This month, ACP meets rap...

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From Worms, Butterflies and Veils to Outcomes

This year's Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care Annual Conference, takes place on Wednesday 23 September 2015 at the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh. Group and member discounts are available

St Andrew’s Hospice monthly lecture: Hospital Anticipatory Care Plan - Minimizing Harm and Optimizing Good in Times of Crisis

Professor D Robin Taylor. 12.30pm, 2^nd September 2015. Email Christine Reaoch to book a place.

Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care and MSc in Palliative Care

The Education Team at St Columba’s Hospice Education Centre, Edinburgh is taking applications for modules starting in September 2015 for both the Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care and MSc in Palliative Care. Both these courses are interdisciplinary. You can also opt to do a single module from either course for Continuing Professional Development. Email for more information.

End of Life Care

An afternoon palliative care educational session for healthcare professionals working in primary care and the community, including: What’s new in palliative care; End of life care record; Palliative care guidelines and symptom control at end of life; What matters to me? St Andrews Hospice: Thurs 17th September; Popinjay Hotel, Rosebank, Wed 11th November. For more information, email Fiona Young.

The outside world and wellbeing

29 September 2015, Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. Speaker: Professor Mary Marshall. The book Creating culturally appropriate outside spaces and experiences for people with dementia forms the basis of this seminar, which will challenge us to consider our relationship with nature. More information is available here: weblink.

End of Life Care: The Principles

This module is available to health and social care professionals. The overall aim of the module is to examine the core principles underpinning the delivery of high quality end of life care and raise awareness of death, dying and bereavement from a professional and societal perspective. Dates of delivery 2015: Trimester A: September 23rd, 30th, October 7th, 14th & November 4th 1000—1630 To register your interest or for further information please contact Angela Miller or Margaret Donnelly.

End of Life Care Continuing Professional Development Programme

Classification: Master level (level 11); Course Duration: 15 week module; Course Start Date: September; Course Mode: Fully Online; Subject Area: Palliative and End of Life Care.

You can study this module as stand-alone or use the credits gained from successful completion towards a Postgraduate Diploma or MSc Nursing. This module is a collaborative module, content is delivered by staff from St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, Clydebank. Further information available from Jacquie Lindsay on 0141 435 7017 or Dr Roseanne Cetnarskyj on 0141 331 8995.

New Directions in Palliative Medicine 5th Annual Conference

Beyond the Diagnosis. 8 and 9 October 2015. Inchyra Grange Hotel, Grangemouth. More information is available here: weblink

Malcolm Goldsmith Lecture: Professor Sir Harry Burns

Alzheimer Scotland Conference

3 November 2015, Glasgow. More information is available here: weblink.

Hospice UK Annual conference: The art and science of hospice care.

10-12 November 2015, Liverpool. More information is available here: weblink

Legal Issues in End of Life Care Masterclass

12 November 2015, London. More information is available here: weblink. A 20% discount is available by quoting ref: HCUK20SPPC when booking.(*Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Full T&Cs available upon request.)

Scottish Cancer Conference 2015

16 November 2015, Edinburgh. More information is available here: weblink.

Rediscovering Holism: the future for Palliative Care

The 11th Palliative Care Congress, 9 - 11 March 2016, Glasgow. More information is available here: weblink

Primary care in Scotland: workforce, funding and delivery of care

27 January 2016, Edinburgh. More information is available here: weblink.

St. Andrew’s Hospice Education Department Courses

Communication, Loss, Grief & Bereavement Skills Course

(An opportunity for accreditation through Work Based Learning)

This 2 day course is delivered over two consecutive weeks.

25 August & 1 September 2015

2 October & 9 October 2015

10 November & 17 November 2015

7 December & 14 December 2015

Introduction to Spirituality in Healthcare

(An opportunity for accreditation through Work Based Learning)

This 2 day course is delivered over two consecutive weeks.

28 August & 4 September 2015

22 September & 29 September 2015

22 October & 29 October 2015

11 December & 18 December 2015

Spirituality in healthcare module 6 days over 6 weeks:22 & 29 September, 6, 13, 20 & 27 October 2015

End of Life Care (This one day course is for Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants alike) 24 September 2015

Advanced Therapeutic Communication,Core Skills Update (This one day course is for practitioners who undertook the Advanced Therapeutic Communications Skills Course prior to 2013) 25 September or 30 October 2015

Palliative Care: Principles of Practice 6 days over 6 weeks course : 30 September 7, 14, 21, 28 October & 4 November 2015

Communication in Crisis Situations (This one day course is for all Health & Social Care Professionals) 5 October 2015

Breaking Bad news (This one day course is for all Health & Social Care Professionals) 12 November 2015

Palliative Care for Healthcare Assistants

(This two day course is for all Health & Social Care Assistants)16 & 23 November 2015

Managing Challenging Behaviour (This one day course is for all Health & Social Care Professionals) 24 November 2015

For further information about any of the above St Andrew's Hospice courses please email Christine Reaoch or phone 01236 772017.

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