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The role of Social Work in a journey with terminal illness : B enefits and challenges

The role of Social Work in a journey with terminal illness : B enefits and challenges. Maxine Topping, Social Worker, Marie Curie Hospice Belfast 27 November 2018. What is our role?. Our role is to provide specialist pre and post bereavement support to service users, carers and family members

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The role of Social Work in a journey with terminal illness : B enefits and challenges

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  1. The role of Social Work in a journey with terminal illness: Benefits and challenges Maxine Topping, Social Worker, Marie Curie Hospice Belfast 27 November 2018

  2. What is our role? • Our role is to provide specialist pre and post bereavement support to service users, carers and family members • As professional Social Workers we engage in the SW process from psychosocial assessment to review • Practical and emotional support to patients and families • Specialist aspect of the work includes individual, family and group therapeutic interventions focusing on loss, grief, death and dying • Assessment and support to carers • Promotion of the palliative care Social Work perspective within the MDT

  3. Practice includes… Facilitate discussions around end of life needs and wishes Advanced care planning Advocacy Practical support – e.g state benefits / financial pressures Family meetings Discharge planning Individual work with children incl. provision of resources Support for carers Bereavement groups

  4. Challenges…. In Patient unit We know the vast majority of the population would like to die at home (approx. 66% - Age UK End of Life Evidence Review) – sometimes we need to work quickly – community system doesn’t allow for this Discharging patients with complex needs with insufficient packages Delays (in some cases more than 10 weeks) in waiting for packages Carer burden increases as they have to supplement Particular challenges with under 65 client group Limited scope for meaningful work due to late stage of illness on admission

  5. Challenges… Day hospice Encouraging communication in relation to end of life issues - acknowledgement of illness - patient and carer at different stage of acceptance SW has limited time capacity in MDT setting Beyond cancer care

  6. Challenges… Service delivery Post bereavement services are stretched – limited supports available and mainly dependant on volunteers Limited scope to expand our role to the wider community setting, inc. schools / home visits etc Dealing with different Trusts with varied SW provision in palliative care teams

  7. Challenges… Self At risk of isolation from broader palliative community in statutory and community sector Emotional impact – impact on self and risk of work affecting health Importance of appropriate support Use of reflective sessions within the MDT setting Effective use of healthy coping mechanisms Importance of self awareness

  8. Benefits • Privileged work • Innovation • Creativity • Support Practising “real” Social Work Person centred, therapeutic work Relationship building Advocacy Joint working with MDT – SW seen as valued member of team

  9. “More than anything they want us to combine competence with compassion and when our hands are empty, to stay our ground and share the frightening darkness with them.” Sheila Cassidy

  10. Delivering a Social Work Workforce to meet changing needs Patricia Higgins Interim Chief Executive Social Care Council

  11. “How people die remains in the memory of those who live on.” Dame Cecily Saunders, Founder of the modern Hospice movement

  12. Demographic Change The Palliative Care Need of our population will increase by 31% by 2040!

  13. The Social Work Workforce

  14. Reflections from Social Workers

  15. Palliative and End of Life Care Competency Assessment Tool • Overarching Values and Knowledge • Communication • Assessment and Care Planning • Symptom Management, Maintaining Comfort and Wellbeing • Advance Care Planning

  16. https://learningzone.niscc.info/learning-resources/64/adult-care-toolkithttps://learningzone.niscc.info/learning-resources/64/adult-care-toolkit Learning Zone

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