Introducing “Shaping Bereavement Care”

1. Introducing “Shaping Bereavement Care”

2. SBC is part of a process

3. Why now? • 2008 International Conference on Grief and Bereavement in Contemporary Society • 2008 Pathways Through Grief: “The introduction of bereavement guidance is long overdue in Scotland.” • It is in fulfilment of that undertaking that Shaping Bereavement Care is now presented to the NHS in Scotland.

4. The Assumption There is a range of evidence that the way those who have been bereaved experience the events around the time of death will influence the trajectory of their grief journey. [Stephen et al 2006]

5. Where health services get it right, showing empathy and providing good quality care, bereaved people are supported to accept the death, and to move into the grieving process as a natural progression. Conversely if the health services get it wrong, then bereaved people may experience additional distress, and that distress will interfere with their successful transition through the grieving process, with implications for them, those around them and for the social economy of the nation.

7. The Aim This Framework is a first step in putting bereavement care firmly where it belongs – on the agenda of NHS Boards in Scotland who, while accepting responsibility for the care of the living, and of the dying, must also accept a responsibility to address the needs of those who have been bereaved. [SBC ch 1 para 11]

8. Visions and realities (1) The vision: We would produce detailed Guidance and Standards for Bereavement Care in NHS Scotland The reality: While there were many examples of good bereavement care in particular areas, few boards had bereavement care on their agenda.

9. Visions and realities (2) The vision: We would at least produce a definitive work on bereavement care in Scotland The reality: We could not cover everything and we had to decide where to concentrate and what to leave out – for just now

10. The Process Project Group: 40 people directly involved in the main group A further 20 or so involved in the smaller groups Eighteen months of meetings, discussions and drafts Consultation with appropriate groups Ministerial approval

11. QS QS Death and Dying Staff Support & Training PROJECT GROUP Bereavement follow up Death Certification (Scotland) Bill Coordination Research QS QS

12. The Guidance • A get-you-started guide • Layout • Evidence based • Recognises boards are at different places and have different resources • Recommendations • Principles for action

13. Why bereavement care? And because it makes a difference

14. A difference to the bereaved: • to their feeling of lost-ness • to their spiritual distress • to helping them make sense of their loss • to their rediscovering of self • to their return to a new normality • to avoiding complications and subsequence illness

15. A difference to staff • To their level of confidence and competence • To their feeling of satisfaction in their work • To their stress and consequent absenteeism • To their own ability to cope with their own bereavements

16. A difference to the service • Reduction in complaints • Avoidance of illness • A mark of Quality • Person centred care • Safe care • Effective care • An improvement in staff satisfaction

17. The stick and the carrot • The Stick – CEL • The Carrot – SGHD offer ongoing support • Project manager • National initiatives • Website • Literature • Training packages • NES and QIS

18. Visions and realities (3) The Visions: Each board should appoint a Bereavement Services Co-ordinator to lead the development of quality bereavement care and to promote partnership working The reality: Each board should identify a Bereavement Services Coordinator….

19. From the old…..

20. … to the new