Exploration of volunteers and support workers initiation of quality of life conversations in hospice palliative day care

Abstract

Treetops Hospice, in partnership with University of Derby have commenced a research project exploring the outcomes of developing volunteers, in initiating conversations around quality of life. As a pilot site work for NHS England for Personal Health Budgets (PHB’s), Treetops discovered that the ‘conversations’ around what’s important right now to the patient/carer can be just as important, than the outcome of the PHB. This is a vital piece of work which directly could impact on improving individual’s wellbeing, the new approach focuses around the mnemonic L.I.S.T.E.N (developed by Treetops Hospice). Policy drivers have acknowledged that there is a much greater need and demand for person centred care than professionals in health and social care can meet, the barriers around developing these conversations, possibly relate to lack of time and clarity to whose role it is. Volunteers and support workers may be advantageous in having these conversations with the right support and development.