She is using this to look at creating stronger links with groups who despite their clinical need are not commonly accessing their palliative care services and to find out reasons why.
"I have learnt a great deal since starting this work, both about myself and the area I work in. Personally I have increased my confidence in dealing with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and am really pleased that I am able to contribute to improving access to our services for everyone that needs them."
The project
Lisa received £7,500 to cover her time one day a week while she did the work. Initially this was researching and then contacting a range of organisations representing various under-represented groups in the community, including prisoners, black and minority ethnic (BME) groups and homeless groups.
She then went out to talk to the people they are trying to reach:
- shadowing health trainers at several community centres as well as at a prison to find out about palliative care services and needs
- attending a cancer information day, targeted at BME groups
- arranging to work in a day centre for the homeless.
The more people she spoke to, the clearer she became about what she was trying to achieve:
"When talking to people and finding out more about why they don’t access the services of the hospice, it was tempting to offer a solution on the spot. However I remained focused on my initial goals, realising that it was more valuable to listen to what was said by everyone and from that, create a strategic plan going forward for the hospice."
Early findings
It is clear that there is a limited knowledge of how many different groups of people are actually living in the community. Therefore she intends to develop some education sessions promoting awareness within the hospice.
The widening access forum in the hospice is another important way of publicising the work she is doing, as well as ensuring that issues around widening access are heard at an organisational level.
The future
Lisa has another eight months working on this project. Although at times it has been challenging, she as well as her organisation, recognises how important it is that The Rowans Hospice is meeting the needs of all in the community.
Further information
Read more about the type of work supported in the first round of seedcorn grants.
Read more about the widening access through nurse leadership grants which are open for application.
Please contact the grants team at Help the Hospices if you have any questions.
