{
  "abstract": "Background NICE has defined best-practice models for emotional and psychological support in palliative care for cancer patients (NICE. Improving supportive and palliative care for adults with cancer. [CSG4] 2004). Recent research shows hospices typically provide emotional support at basic levels, but access to specialist psychological care is often lacking. The hospice had become aware of an increase in mental health challenges, greater volume and complexity of need, and more patients presenting with unmet psychological needs which exceed existing expertise.Aim To deliver a ‘best practice’ model for psychological and emotional care, ensuring outstanding patient and family experience particularly around the more specialist level 3 and 4 support, aspiring to be a Centre of Excellence.Methods A psychological and emotional care group was established, recruiting therapists, medics, and family support team members with specialist interest, to oversee this work. Scoping of current provision of psychological and emotional care, identifying common standards, inconsistencies, and the variety of intervention models available within the hospice. Piloted model providing one day of Specialist Mental Health Therapist (SMHT) for 18 months. Completed literature review identifying evidenced based standards of clinical assessment, training models and tools. Workforce skills-mapping and staff training programme development – delivered to all staff exceeding the expectations of the NICE guidance. Use of IPOS as assessment tool and outcome measure.Emerging Findings Ongoing project.Demand for enhanced communication skills for all public-facing staff, not just clinical staff as per NICE model.Needs can be substantially met through improved level 3 support.IPOS is a suitable assessment and outcome measure for psychological and emotional care.In-house level 4 specialist support is effective but can be costly and unsustainable.Conclusions Using the psychological and emotional care model has enhanced care to patients. Substantial improvement to access of specialist level 3 support, with better identification of patients earlier, has reduced complexity and demand for level 4 input, which is more sustainable and easier for implementation in other hospices.Grant funding provided by St James’s Place Charitable Foundation through Hospice UK.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Shona Eyre"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Karen Neoh"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-42 Enhanced care – becoming a centre of excellence for psychological and emotional care in palliative and end of life care",
  "uid": "b2362395-0b30-534c-83b4-f26079f7f7aa"
}