Making FriendsForging links between Children’s and Adult Hospices - A WorkingModel

Neil Williamson – Transition Coordinator / Family Support Manager.

Subjects in this presentation. How the partnership came about – a brief history. The tale of 7

hospices.

What do young people and families want when in transition. Feedback from the Marie Curie Transition project East London hub.

How does the model work currently.

What are the Challenges of working between children’s and adult hospices.

What are the next steps in meeting do we intend to meet the challenges faced by supporting young people into the adult hospice setting.

Questions and Answers.

The Tale of 7 Hospices

2008 YAG (social group began). Neil asked what’s out there!!

2009 Met Diane from St Josephs. Gave a presentation to all staff. First YAG at St Josephs.

2010 Summer Scheme (lift off). 2010 first young adult to stay at

both hospices in one stay. 2011 Marie Curie project,

created a true partnership. Developed the model for respite

and end of life care. First End of life patient.

2012 – 2013 – building up the client base.

Big Lesson’s – • Gently, gently, slowly, slowly. • Not being afraid to challenge and ask, why do you do that?•Above all else be positive, positive, positive.• Pushing your luck.

What do young people want more of when in transition?

What do young people want more of when in transition? (Partnership)

Patchwork quilt – The hospices are different patches and realising and using this to the advantage is key.

What do young people want more of when in transition? (socialisation)

The only Disability is in having no relationships!-Judith Snow

What do young people want more of when in transition? (Understanding of conditions)

It took a lot of negotiation to move the goalposts of the terminal palliative patient expected in adult services.

What do young people want more of when in transition? (positive honesty)

What do young people want more of when in transition? (continued parental involvement)

The current working model.

The current working model.

Current Working Model

We have 2 regular meetings.

A monthly panel meeting to discuss: new referrals. 18+ young adult group (P’tship) Upcoming stays. Training planned.

Quarterly Steering Group meeting to look at: Service development. Evaluate the last 3 months. Senior management feedback. Multi disciplinary catch up and moving actions forward.

What are the main challenges? Different working models:

Shift patterns. Staffing levels/dependency. Different focus of care. Different nursing roles.

Young adult centred: Young peoples anxiety/family anxiety around coming to a new hospice. An older client group, a need to try to bring young people together. Going out and managing this expectation through good planning.

Organisational culture: Different processes of moving forward. Adults tend to be bigger. (house/hospital). Diagnostic categories and triage. A lack of respite priority services.

Clinical challenges: A different client group. Different skill sets.

What are the advantages?

Medical cover. Multi Disciplinary is often very

strong. Chaplaincy, welfare advice, social

work often heavily involved. Often more provision for a bed space

during deterioration, end of life and emergency.

Often community services are available.

More acute care is often available.

How are we meeting the challenges?

Developing systems of work which combat the triangle –

Shwarz rounds bringing up issues such as – Sexuality, parental involvement.

Regular training for staff and identified training, seminars on young adult issues.

Transition nurse involvement to support staff with challenges in caring for young people.

Volunteer recruitment and selection for young people.

Drop in sessions for young people, a social group, other opportunities for events to encourage young people.

An open forum to talk about expectation from both services and a positive working relationship to work through problems.

Any Questions or comments?