CHSS Reader in Applied Health Research Jenny Billings, is leading a project to evaluate a palliative care tool developed with Kent and Medway Children and Young People’s (KMCYP) Palliative Care Network.
The Advance Care Plan Tool allows families to plan and agree end of life care for children, including any decisions which may be needed about resuscitation.
The tool has been adapted for use locally with the approval of South Central Strategic Health Authority and is currently in use at Ellenorlions Hospice and by nurses within the East Kent community. The evaluation will identify the main strengths of the tool, so these can be built on, and highlight any weaknesses or areas where change may be necessary.
The project uses a mixed methods approach, with a quantitative assessment of how the tool is being completed, alongside qualitative interviews and focus groups with families and professionals. Service users have been actively involved in the design of the project which reports later this year, and a workshop will be held with professionals from the research sites to explore how the results can be taken forward. The aim will be to move towards a standardised and robust planning tool which can be put into practice
For further information contact Jenny Billings: j.r.billings@kent.ac.uk