{
  "abstract": "Background The World Health Organization estimate that only 14 percent of people who require palliative care receive this (WHO. Palliative care: key facts. [internet]). The need for palliative and end-of-life care will continue to grow due to aging populations and more complex and longer-term disease trajectories. There is also disparity of access within communities (Lau, Meaney, Morgan, et al. Palliat Med. 2021;35(6):1191-1201) with many groups being underserved. We recognize that the demographics of our local population are under-represented, and reaching more people is a priority.Aim To use a Community Engagement Vehicle to reach more people, reduce disparity in access and dispel myths about hospice care.Method With a grant award from Hospice UK and the Masonic Charitable Foundation, a Community Engagement Vehicle was purchased and converted. An engagement plan was undertaken whereby local community groups were approached as prospective hosts (Vargas-Escobar, Hernández-Rincón, León-Delgado, et al. Health Policy. 2024 Nov;149:105165) for our Community Engagement Vehicle visits. A timetable of visits were then planned to hosting community centres, religious buildings, and libraries within socially deprived and isolated areas. Two hospice staff members attended each visit.Results In seven months the Community Engagement Vehicle enabled interactions with more than 700 people who would otherwise not have had any contact with, or knowledge about, our hospice. Interactions have enabled conversations and information to be given about advance care planning, bereavement, the hospice in general, and the care and support available. On occasion, support and advice has been provided in relation to a new diagnosis by an attending clinical nurse specialist and psychosocial and bereavement support by an attending bereavement counsellor.Conclusion The value of engaging with the community in this way is demonstrated through the rich conversations and interactions with individuals but the process has not been without challenge. Largely, engagement is dependent on the willingness of the host thus moving forward, further reach may be achieved through developing community engagement roles of those with lived experience (Haines, Soliman, Guerry, et al. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025; 69(5): e596-e597).",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mountbatten, Hampshire, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Chrissie Dawson"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-02 Evaluating the impact of a community engagement vehicle",
  "uid": "c7ff64c2-649e-54e5-a05e-5a33d4b4bef9"
}