Scottish Cancer Patient Experiences Survey 2015/16

Scottish Government have recently published their report: Scottish Cancer Patient Experiences Survey 2015/16 - Exploring Differences in Cancer Patient Experiences. This is an additional analysis of the Scottish Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2015/16 which examines the relationship between the self-reported experiences of service users and a range of factors.

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Expectations of newly qualified doctors in the UK

The GMC are we’re consulting on revisions to Outcomes for Graduates, which set out what newly qualified doctors from UK medical schools must know and be able to do. The consultation closes on 10 January 2018.

When a child dies

Together for Short Lives has developed a new fact sheet to support families and carers preparing for the death of a child.

Scholarship opportunities for nurses and midwives
Applications are now being invited for the General Nursing Council for Scotland Education Fund 1983 and the Margaret Callum Rodger Midwifery Award. The 2018-2019 scholarships are open to registered nurses and midwives resident and practising in Scotland. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 17^th January 2018.

Sharing current Scottish practice

Good Practice Mapping by Scottish Care

Scottish Care is doing ongoing work to collate information relating to local palliative and end of life care projects, partnerships and initiatives taking place within or involving the independent sector. They have published an online resource to share examples of local work and signpost those interested in finding out more to other providers and partners, promoting the sharing of good practice and more joined up working. They are continuing to build this resource, so please complete this template if you would like to contribute.

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Supporting Solace: Palliative and end of life care data report 2017

Scottish Care have published the results of recent survey research undertaken with members of Scottish Care.

Marie Curie Research into Practice Event

Marie Curie have published a report of their recent event: Palliative Care in Scotland: Research into Practice Event, which took place on 11 May 2017.

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What are families most grateful for after receiving palliative care?

The objective of this study was to analyse what aspects of palliative care are valued most by family carers undergoing bereavement of a palliative care home service in order to identify factors of quality of care.

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Impact of Brexit on palliative and end of life care

The Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care has written to David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, raising concerns over the impact that withdrawal from the EU may have on the care of the dying in Scotland.

Public Health Approaches to Dying and Bereavement Conference

We are delighted to announce the dates for a conference to showcase and explore current thinking and practice relating to public health palliative care in Scotland. Bringing together experts from across Scotland and the UK, the conference will be a chance to explore the field from various angles, including sessions focusing on:

• Compassionate Communities
• Death education and bereavement support in schools
• Public Awareness Campaigns
• Health Inequalities

The programme will feature a high quality line-up of plenary speakers and provide those working in the field with an opportunity to network and share their work with a national audience. More details to follow, but in the meantime please save the date: Wednesday 25^th April 2018, Renfield St Stephen Centre, Glasgow.

Video and slides from SPPC Annual Conference 2017

Last month we were delighted to welcome over 200 delegates to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh for this year’s SPPC Annual Conference, Making the Best of Hard Times. Thanks to Catriona Forrest of the University of Glasgow End of Life Studies group for filming the day. A film of presentations and PowerPoint slides from the day are now available on our website. Poster displays will be made available on our website soon. A summary of some of the highlights of the day is available here: SPPC Annual Conference Summary 2017.

Save the date – SPPC Annual Conference 2018

Next year's Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care Annual Conference will take place on Wednesday 10 October 2018 at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. We welcome ideas of topics and speakers for the programme – please get in touch if you would like to make a suggestion.

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Tomorrow sees the start of this year’s To Absent Friends festival. This is set to be the biggest year yet, and festival listings can be viewed on the To Absent Friends website. As well as all kinds of events taking place across Scotland, people are welcome to get involved by:

• Dedicating a song on our Remembrance Playlist
• Supporting the festival over Social Media
• Leaving a message on our Wall of Remembrance
• Attending one of the public To Absent Friends events
• Organising your own private remembrance activity with family and friends

Food, storytelling and music in memory of absent friends

There's still time to get tickets and join us for an evening of spoken word, storytelling and music in memory of absent friends, with entertainment from:

• Cat Loud, Cabaret Singer
• Donald Smith, Storyteller and Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre
• Max Scratchmann, Spoken Word Artist

Hosted by the SPPC, a simple three-course meal will be provided by the Cyrenians Community Cook club. Invite some people you'd like to spend the evening with, book a table, and raise a toast to Absent Friends. Tickets are £6. More information and booking is available here: To Absent Friends Supper

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NEoLCIN briefing (England)

The National End of Life Care Intelligence Network (NEoLCIN) have launched a number of products to inform end of life care planning in the care home setting. These include two new data briefings, an infographic and a section of indicators on the End of Life Care Profiles. All the new products are available from the NEoLCIN website.

Chief Executive Debbie Kerslake retires from Cruse Bereavement Care

Debbie Kerslake has announced that she is to retire after ten years as CEO of Cruse Bereavement Care, the charity which supports bereaved people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. (Stewart Wilson remains Chief Executive of Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland.)

In the media

Daily Record: Remembrance event to be held by charity for friends and family of those that have died

Herald: Colours, lights and dancing in the streets: how Scoland could have its own day of the dead.

Evening Times: Glasgow hospice supporting teens for the first time

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In each edition of Update we try to end with something a little bit thought-provoking or different...

This Speaks to Me

Part of Scottish Care's Care Cameo series, This Speaks to Me is a compilation of creative examples of what 'speaks to' people about delivering palliative and end of life care.

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Public Health Approaches to Dying and Bereavement Conference

Organised by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care and Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief. More details to follow, but in the meantime please save the date: Wednesday 25^th April 2018, Renfield St Stephen Centre, Glasgow.

SPPC Annual Conference 2018 - Save the date

Save the date: Wednesday 10 October 2018 at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

Professorial Inaugural Lecture by Professor Bridget Johnston: End of life care, whose responsibility?

1 November 2017, University Glasgow. More information is available here: weblink

To Absent Friends Community Supper

Organised by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care. 7 November, Edinburgh. A chance to share stories and memories of people who have died, with food and entertainment. More information is available here: weblink

Safeguarding Adults with Incapacity & the role of the Office of the Public Guardian.

Organised by Seminars Scotland . 8 November 2017, Perth and 15 November, Kilmarnock. More information is available here: weblink

Developing Emotional Resilience

Organised by St Margaret of Scotland Hospice. 8, 15 and 22 November 2017.

More information is available here: weblink.

Caring Together Programme Celebration and Legacy Event

Organised by Marie Curie, British Heart Foundation and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. 9 November 2017, Glasgow. More information is available here: weblink.

Transitions Showcase Event

Organised by CHAS. 13 November, Stirling. More information is available here: weblink.

Lunch & Learn Sessions at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice

14 November: Communicating in Care After Death Meetings and The new Death Registration Process – Level 1 and 2 Review

24 November: Communicating Bad News in Challenging Situations

More information is available here: weblink.

Palliative Care Conference

Organised by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. 15 November 2017, Glasgow. More information is available here: weblink.

Care Home Conference 2017

Organised by Scottish Care. Glasgow, 17 November 2017. More information is available here: weblink.

Scottish Cancer Conference

Organised by Cancer Research UK. 20 November 2017, Edinburgh. More information is available here: weblink.

Sexuality: an uncertain journey?

22 November 2017, Glasgow. More information is available here: weblink.

Strategic commissioning of health and social care services – the role of communities and the third sector

Organised by Policy Hub. Friday 24 November 2017, 110 Queen Street, Central Glasgow (0915-1245). More information is available here: weblink.

Self-Advocacy Sessions

30 November, Glasgow 2017. Organised by Carers Scotland. To book or find out more, including alternative dates, please contact: Patricia Clark or call 0141 445 3070

Oncogeriatrics Conference

More information is available here: weblink.

Non Medical Prescribing in Cancer Care

Organised by Healthcare Conferences UK. London, 15 December 2017. More information is available here: weblink.

Care of Dying Adults in the last days of life: Improving care and ensuring adherence to the NICE National Quality Standard

Organised by Healthcare Conferences UK. Monday 15 January 2018, London. More information is available here: weblink.

Priorities for primary care in Scotland - best practice, integration and the new GP contract

Organised by Scotland Policy Conferences. 17 January 2018, Edinburgh. More information is available here.

Inaugural SPICT International Conference 2018: Changing practice,
promoting research and learning together

2 February 2018, University of Edinburgh. More information is available here: weblink.

Towards evidence based compassionate care

15-16 March 2018, Bournemouth International Centre. More information is available here: weblink.

Supporting parents through pregnancy loss and the death of a baby

Organised by Child Bereavement UK. 18 April 2017, Aberdeen. More information is available here: weblink.

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