Bereavement Services Audit Karen Allen, Rachel Buckle, Laura Chapman, Diane Earl, Andrew Khodabukus, Sue Oakes, Joanna Roberts, Sandra Smith, Grace Ting 19th May 2016

Bereavement Guideline Development Group Membership Karen Allen Acting Principal Social Worker, Marie Curie Hospice, Liverpool Rachel Buckle Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust Dr Laura Chapman Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust Diane Earl Bereavement Services Coordinator, St Rocco’s Hospice, Warrington Dr Andrew Khodabukus Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust Sue Oakes Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital Foundation NHS Trust Dr Joanna Roberts Specialty Registrar in Palliative Medicine, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust Sandra Smith Patient, Carer and Public Representative Dr Grace Ting Specialty Registrar in Palliative Medicine, Willowbrook Hospice Invited Expert Dr Kate Bennett Reader in Psychology in the Department of Psychological Sciences and the School of Psychology at the University of Liverpool

Updated Standards & Guidelines 19th May 2016

Bereavement Services in Palliative Care 2016 Guidelines

48-72 hours is a reasonable expectation even in the community (written information can be given by district nurses and does not need to be given by the specialist palliative care team). No clear evidence to support 8 weeks in NICE guidance. Agreed 8-12 weeks reasonable based on experience and expert opinion (Grade D, level 4).   As per flow chart written information is given to those important to the dying person after death including contacts for support services. 

Guidelines (2) How often should training on bereavement theory and assessment be recommended for specialist palliative care professionals? In agreement within the group that training should be provided at initial induction (this may be departmental induction e.g. in hospital) and at least 3 yearly. Evidence of training should be kept. Based on general consensus and expert opinion in group (Grade D, Level 4) The GDG will publish a presentation pack to support training with the final guidelines We will now highlight the main changes from the guidelines reviewed in 2009 and the discussion points from January. The bulk of the guidelines regarding management of bereavement services by SPC is the same, but has been reformatted to better reflect NICE Supportive and Palliative Care. Additional material has been added to help generalist providers and SPC services that don’t offer formal contact in the months after death. Training recommendations have also been strengthened and the group is working on training materials to support this. Guidelines

Standards 1. All families / carers should receive an information booklet about bereavement and the support available within 48 - 72 hours of the bereavement. [Grade D] Families / carers should be made aware that written contact will be made and given the opportunity to decline this service. [Grade D] 3. Proactive or outreach offers of bereavement support should be made 8 - 12 weeks after bereavement. [Grade D] Bereaved relatives / carers should be referred on to an appropriate specialist bereavement service where appropriate. [Grade D] Each organisation involved in bereavement support should ensure that providers are adequately trained and supervised initially at induction then at least 3 yearly. [Grade D]