Health, Care or Voluntary Sector Role: Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
Supporting Organisation: Arthur Rank Hospice Charity
I am a registered nurse for nine years, since graduating from the University of East Anglia. My career, thus far, has been vibrant and exciting. I have gained a wealth of experience in Palliative Care, Oncology, Haematology, and Critical Care. I have had the opportunity to develop, evolve, and lead a Bereavement Service; I have undertaken a Critical Care Clinical Research Nurse secondment; and I have supported the development of an Acute Oncology and Haematology Service as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Whilst working clinically, I have also obtained an MSc in Supportive, Palliative and End-of-Life Care from Sheffield Hallam University. At present, I practise as a Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist.
The fellowship programme is a fantastic opportunity to not only have dedicated time to conduct a piece of research, that is an original idea, but it is also an opportunity to collaborate with other health and social care professionals. This programme will enable me to research a topic relevant to my clinical practice, to subsequently implement evidence-based improvements in practice. I am excited to learn new skills, develop my confidence in research methodologies, and work with new people.
About Sian's fellowship project
Title: A Service-User Evaluation of the Palliative Care Hub
I have practised as a Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist in The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System Palliative Care Hub for almost two years. This is an awardwinning innovative telephone advice line, operated by Arthur Rank Hospice Charity in partnership with Herts Urgent Care and the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. The aim of the Palliative Care Hub is to enhance quality of life, enable a more positive experience of care and support, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and give patients more choice in accessing their preferred place of care and preferred place of death. This is achieved by providing advice, guidance, support, and signposting to other services, following telephone triage and assessment. This Specialist Palliative Care service is available to all, including patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. The Palliative Care Hub has been operating in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough since April 2021 and, so far, there has been no data collected regarding service-user experience or satisfaction.
This project aims to evaluate the Palliative Care Hub from the perspective of service-users, including patients, carers, and healthcare professionals; and to identify areas in need of improvement.
Supervisor: Dr Simon Etkind, University of Cambridge
Contact Sian: staylor-caitens@arhc.org.uk