Coordinating end of life care
Patients with incurable illness in the last months of life need access to a range of services, but evidence shows that currently these are poorly coordinated, with both duplication of and gaps in care.
CHSS Research Associate Laura Holdsworth is working on a study to evaluate the impact of a new project run by Pilgrims Hospices in collaboration with local NHS and social care partners. Project Invicta aims to improve end of life care for patients through an Electronic Palliative Care Coordination System, improved patient pathways, and a new ‘navigation centre’, which patients, carers and local care providers can call 24 hours a day for advice or assistance.
The study will assess the impact of Project Invicta, and particularly the navigation centre, on patients, carers, professionals and organisations involved, as well as evaluating the health and social care service use costs. The study will utilise a number of research methods, including a telephone survey with carers, interviews, observations, and a review of service use records. The study will also look at the implementation process of coordinated working between local health and social care providers.
For further information contact Laura Holdsworth: l.m.holdworth@kent.ac.uk