“Compassionate Conversations”
The focus for this Zoom call – be held on Thursday 7 May, 2-3pm – was on the compassionate conversations elements of the Managing Symptoms (Including End of Life) in the Community guidance recently produced by ambulance services medical directors, and also available on the JRCALC App.
We invited all NHS ambulance service staff to hear from external and internal experts with the aim of offering additional guidance, support, tools and reassurance in relation to this challenging area of practice.
Facilitators
The session was facilitated by Anna Parry, Deputy Managing Director at Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, and Ian Baines, Transformation Consultant at NHS Horizons.
Contributors
Dr Kathryn Mannix
Palliative Care Consultant, Cognitive Therapist, Author
Kathryn Mannix is a palliative care consultant and cognitive therapist with 30 years experience delivering palliative care in hospitals, hospices and patients’ own homes. She campaigns for better public understanding and discussion of dying, and her book about the way people live while they are dying, ‘With the End in Mind’, has become an international best seller. She’s still getting over her surprise.
Dr Claire Green and Elaine Bramhall
Senior Trainers at the Maguire Communication Skills Training Unit
The Maguire Communication Skills Training Unit is based in the School of Oncology at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, one of Europe’s leading cancer centres. The Unit has unrivalled expertise, and contributes to the development and delivery of training in communication skills locally, nationally and internationally.
Dr Leon Roberts
Medical Director, East Midlands Ambulance Service,
End of Life Care Lead, National Ambulance Services Medical Directors, AACE
Jo Stonehouse
Cancer Care Project Manager, South Western Ambulance Service,
End of Life Leads Group Chair, AACE
End of Life Care Lead, College of Paramedics
Andrew Hodge
Consultant Paramedic Urgent Care, Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Wellbeing
Liz Harris
Head of Professional Standards, College of Paramedics
Cathryn James
Clinical Support Manager for Association of Ambulance Chief Executives /
National Ambulance Services Medical Directors (NASMeD) / JRCALC
Faye McGuinness
Head of Workplace Wellbeing Programmes (Strategy and Development), Mind
Related Resources
End of Life Resources
- COVID-19: Managing Symptoms (Including at the End of Life) In the Community – NASMeD / AACE
- Difficult Conversations (Breaking Bad News)
– Maguire Communication Skills Training Unit - A Guide for Supporting Distressed Patients and Relatives
– Maguire Communication Skills Training Unit - Difficult Conversations – video
Visual guidance for healthcare professionals in talking to patients about dying during the COVID-19 pandemic. - How to tell children that someone has died
– The Lancet / University of Oxford - Courageous Conversations – various resources
– Macmillan - Discussing unwelcome news: a framework for communication
– Health Education England / e-LfH - e-LfH Coronavirus health resources
– Health Education England / e-LfH
Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing and Support
- Guidance for Managers on Psychosocial Support and Mental Wellbeing of Ambulance Personnel in a Pandemic Crisis
– College of Paramedics - Ambulance Service Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
– AACE - Mind Blue Light – presentation video
A 30 minute video on how to notice the signs of poor mental health in yourself and in your colleagues, including coping strategies and information on where to go to get support. - End of Life – Ambulance Trust Leads
A list of End of Life leads in UK Ambulance Trusts
