A Stronger Scotland

The Scottish Government has published A stronger Scotland, the government’s programme for Scotland 2015-16. The document announced that £3.5 million will be made available over the next 3.5 years to support palliative and end of life care. Nicola Sturgeon has also announced that significant changes to the role of general practice and primary care in Scotland will be tested over the next two years.

Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee

As part of its ongoing inquiry into palliative care, the Health and Sport Committee took evidence from Professor David Clark on 15 September. Footage of the evidence session and Professor Clark’s full report, International comparisons in palliative care provision: what can the indicators tell us? can be viewed here: weblink.

At its meeting on 22 September, the Committee took evidence from Amy Dalrymple, Head of Policy, Alzheimer Scotland; Trisha Hatt, Senior Macmillan Development Manager (Scotland), Macmillan Cancer Support; Richard Meade, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scotland, Marie Curie; Maria McGill, Chief Executive, Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. The official report from this meeting is available on the Scottish Parliament website.

At its meeting on 29 September the committee will take evidence from: Mark Hazelwood, Chief Executive, Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care; Dr David Carroll, Strategic Lead for Palliative and End of Life Care, NHS Grampian;Ranald Mair, Chief Executive, Scottish Care; Michael Cook, Vice-President, and Beth Hall, Policy Manager, Health and Social Care Team, COSLA; Sandra Campbell, Macmillan Nurse Consultant for Cancer and Palliative Care, Royal College of Nursing;Dr Euan Paterson, Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland; Maggie Grundy, Associate Director, Nursing and Midwifery, NHS Education for Scotland;Professor Rob George, President of Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland. Medical Director St Christopher’s Hospice, Association of Palliative Medicine.

Carers (Scotland) Bill

The Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee has published its report on the Carers (Scotland) Bill. The date of the Stage 1 debate on the Bill is still to be confirmed, and the debate will be informed by the Committee's report and the Government’s response.

Health and Social Care Integration

The Health and Social Care ALLIANCE Scotland are working to compile a spreadsheet to capture core information about integration arrangements across the 32 local authority areas in Scotland. The spreadsheet aims to capture: an overview of the Integration Authority and the services it is responsible for; how the third sector is represented, who does this and how they are being selected; and how to get connected into third sector activity and information locally. More information about this work is available on the ALLIANCE website.

Strategic Commissioning

The Joint Improvement Team (JIT), Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), and NHS Health Scotland have published a new online learning resource to help people get to grips with Strategic Commissioning. It is designed as a starting point for anyone new to the topic who is trying to understand the Strategic Commissioning cycle, particularly in the context of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014. It gives an overview of Strategic Commissioning, the national policy context, and the stages involved in the process.

Creating a healthier Scotland: conversation cafes
The ALLIANCE are working with the Scottish Government and local Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) to put on conversation cafes in 31 TSI areas. The events are designed to provide an opportunity for constructive conversations around health and wellbeing which will form part of the dialogue on the future of health and social care in Scotland.

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Sharing Scottish Practice

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

• Using an Outcome Measure in a Palliative Day Care Unit
• Volunteer support to improve well-being for patients and carers
• Volunteers - vital to hospice viability
• Widening Access to Services for Children of Palliative Patients

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The meaning of home at the end of life: A video-reflexive ethnography study.

Collier A, Phillips JL & Iedema R; Palliat Med. 2015 Sep;29(8):695-702. doi: 10.1177/0269216315575677.

While 'home' is cited most frequently as being the preferred place of death, most people will die in institutions. This article explores the meaning of home for dying patients and their families.

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Developing a computerised search to help UK General Practices identify more patients for palliative care planning: a feasibility study

Bruce Mason, Kirsty Boyd, Scott A Murray, John Steyn, Paul Cormie, Marilyn Kendall, Dan Munday, David Weller, Shirley Fife, Peter Murchie and Christine Campbell.

The aim of this study was to develop and test a computerised search of primary care records in routine clinical practice as a tool to improve patient identification for a palliative care approach.

Call for abstracts: PhD/MD Students

A PhD/MD Student Conference focusing on research in the field of supportive/palliative and end of life care is taking place on 8 December at the University of Nottingham. They welcome abstracts of no more than 250 words from those who would like to present their work. They are particularly interested in any methodological, ethical or practical issues you are having, at whatever stage you are at in the PhD process. Closing date for abstracts is October 31st 2015. For further information contact:Kathryn Almack or Glenys Caswell.

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Life, Death, Grief gets practical

There are still a few places left at our event on 30th September, for people in Scotland who are interested in promoting more openness about death, dying and bereavement. 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.

Grasping the Nettle

The SPPC is currently consulting members on the final draft Grasping the Nettle: what action can we take to improve palliative and end of life care in Scotland? This draft position paper is designed to inform and support the development of the Scottish Government Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative and End of Life Care. The paper has also been shared with Scottish Government colleagues, and the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee to inform their current inquiry into palliative care.

Oral Evidence to Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee

Mark Hazelwood, Chief Executive of the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care will give evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee, at its meeting on 29 September, as part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into palliative care.

From Worms, Butterflies and Veils to Outcomes

We were pleased to welcome over 200 delegates from across Scotland to our Annual Conference last week. Congratulations to the joint winners of the People’s Poster Prize (voted for by delegates):

• Preparing for 'real life' - reducing death anxiety in 3rd year nursing students. Griffin L.
• Creativity required – apply within: Evaluation in a children’s hospice. By Sheridan M, Stewart L, Blair A and Scott R.

Copies of posters and speaker slides will become available on the SPPC website over the next few weeks.

Football

As part of this year's To Absent Friends festival, we are creating a Gallery of Greats – a story from each Scottish League Football Club about a memorable individual connected to the club, who has died but who remains important to the club. If you’re into football and would like to see someone from your club recognised in the Gallery of Greats please get in touch – we need a photo and up to 50 words telling us why that person is still remembered. It can be anyone associated with the club - a player, a manager, a member of staff, a fan.

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 them. 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.

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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: Thousands in Scotland ‘not receiving palliative care’

BBC News: Report calls for further improvement to children’s palliative care in Wales

The Scotsman: Crackdown on mistreating NHS staff ‘could backfire’

The Scotsman: Leuchie House a cross between care home and hotel

There was also significant media coverage of Professor David Clark's report to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee, and a full list can be viewed here: weblink.

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We were delighted to welcome Sheldon Solomon, Professor of Psychology at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York to our Annual Conference this week. A captivating speaker, Sheldon discussed how fear of death influences human behaviour. If you missed the conference, you can read the Guardian review of his new book The Worm at the Core.

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Life, Death, Grief gets practical

30 September 2015, Edinburgh. More information is available here: weblink.

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.

Hearing the voices of marginalised groups

29 September 2015, featuring a speaker from the Scottish Health Council.

This takes place as part of the St Margaret of Scotland Hospice Lunch & Learn Programme. For more information and to book, email Margaret Donnelly or phone 0141 435 7017.

Seven songs for a long life – Cinema Screenings

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. Screenings confirmed so far include:

• Stirling (The Macrobert Arts Centre) - 8pm, October 2nd.
• Bo'Ness (The Hippodrome) - 7pm, October 3rd
• Edinburgh (The Dominion) - 6pm, October 6th
• Glasgow (GFT) - 5.45pm, October 7th
• Inverness (Eden Court Cinema) - 2.15pm, October 10th.

Children and Young People’s Palliative Care Study Day

2 October 2015, Glasgow. Email for more information.

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

Living Well in Later Life

26 October 2015, Edinburgh. More information is available here: weblink.

Living Well with Frailty.

27 October 2015, Edinburgh. More information is available here: weblink.

Health and Social Care Academy Inaugural Lecture by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP: Creating wellbeing – what is needed to transform Scottish society so that all citizens are able to thrive?

27 October 2015, Edinburgh. Email or call 0141 404 0231 for further information.

Alzheimer Scotland Conference

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

Children with Exceptional Healthcare Needs Conference

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

End of life care in Scottish hospitals: opportunities for wider engagement

Tuesday 10 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.

Scottish Cancer Conference 2015

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

Malcolm Goldsmith Lecture: Professor Sir Harry Burns

17 November 2015, Edinburgh. More information is available here: weblink. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE.

Breaking the Barriers to Care: Dementia at the end of life

24 November 2015, Edinburgh. More information is available here: Weblink

PhD/MD Student Conference: Research in the field of supportive/palliative and end of life care: developing the next generation of researchers

8 December 2015, University Of Nottingham. For further information contact Kathryn Almack or Glenys Caswell.

Lymphoedema: Application of Core Skills & Knowledge

18 January 2016, Glasgow. For more information email or phone 0141 3302072.

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

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

Lymphoedema Specialist Practice

1 February 2016, Glasgow. For more information email or phone 0141 330 2972.

Integrating health and social care in Scotland

2 March 2016. 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

Highland Palliative Care Course: Living Until you Die - Crossing Boundaries in Palliative Care

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.

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.

22 October & 29 October 2015

11 December & 18 December 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) 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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