Out-of-hours community palliative care: a national survey of hospice providers. (2nd March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fee, Anne; Hasson, Felicity; Slater, Paul; Payne, Sheila; McConnell, Tracey; Finlay, Dori-Anne; McIlfatrick, Sonja
• Is Part Of: International journal of palliative nursing. Volume 29:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2023-03-02
• Subjects: out-of-hours -- palliative care -- hospice -- community care -- specialist palliative care; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; 616.029
• DOI: 10.12968/ijpn.2023.29.3.137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-6321

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Community-based palliative out-of-hours services operate outside normal working hours. However, little is known about the provision and delivery of such care. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe types of provision and delivery of out-of-hours palliative care services provided by UK hospices. Methods: Survey questionnaires were emailed to 150 adult hospices in the UK. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and qualitative data subjected to thematic analysis. Findings: Responding hospices ( n =57) provided the following types of support: telephone advice 72% ( n =41); care at home 70% ( n =40); and rapid response 35% ( n =20). There were variations between services regarding referral mechanisms, availability and workforce, and integration with statutory services was limited. Conclusion: Variation in the type of provision and delivery of out-of-hours palliative care services alongside limited integration with statutory care have contributed to inequity of access to community-based palliative care, and potentially suboptimal patient and informal caregiver outcomes.