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Jersey Hospice Care is continuing to transform the quality of palliative care on the Island this Spring as a range of healthcare professionals take part in two of their training courses. The Education Team at Hospice are qualified providers of the European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care, an internationally recognised palliative care education programme, and they will also be delivering their own “Roots and Shoots” programme which is a six-week foundation course in palliative care suitable for all those working in healthcare.
At the heart of Hospice’s mission is to transform palliative care: at Hospice, in the hospital, at home, and elsewhere in the community, and education is a key part of enabling this mission. Through providing continuous education and training to all healthcare professionals and carers across the Island, the charity aims for Islanders to receive the best palliative care wherever they choose to seek it. Specialist palliative care should always be tailored to the individual and aims to meet their specific physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. With the right training and specialist skills, healthcare professionals will not only transform a patient’s experience, but also the experiences of their family members and loved ones at one of the most difficult times of their life.
The two courses being offered by Hospice this Spring have attracted nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants, carers, and pharmacists from a range of care settings. The aim of both courses will be to build on existing skills, share from experience, develop personal and professional confidence, and impart best practice so that each attendee will be better equipped to provide outstanding end of life care.
Michelle Nelson, Deputy Director of Palliative Care, said: “Both of these courses have attracted healthcare workers from across all care sectors in Jersey, and this really demonstrates we all have a responsibility to improve the patient and family experience at the end of life. The tools to provide outstanding palliative care are needed by every professional that works with Islanders who may receive a diagnosis of a life limiting illness, and so education to improve the skills and confidence of our health and social care workforce is an essential part of what we do. No matter where you work, you can make a difference. And we are here to help.”
Jersey Hospice Care was formally approved as an assessment site for the European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care in partnership with the Princess Alice Hospital in January 2021. The team at Hospice are therefore delighted to launch the first on-Island course which will be delivered by those in the Education Team, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Doctors. Those participating will deepen their learning on the delivery of end of life care, and will also strengthen their network and external relationships in order to help all sectors work together towards always providing the best possible care that meets the needs of each individual.
Gail Edwards, Nurse Champion at Jersey Hospice Care, who is one of those supporting this new qualification, said: “Having nursed in various care settings throughout the world, and working for the last 14 years in palliative care in Jersey, I am passionate about being part of the Hospice Education Team and sharing my first-hand experience and knowledge – providing outstanding specialist palliative care makes a difference to each patient we have the privilege to care for.”
Roots and Shoots, the latest course having started on 13 April, is a Continuous Professional Development accredited foundation course run by Hospice that is suitable for all healthcare professionals who are interested in or who deliver palliative care, including hospital and community workers, prison workers, paramedics and social workers. It sets out the principles of providing outstanding care for those nearing death and enables participants with the skills to incorporate these into their professional practice. The Education Team at Hospice have converted the course into an online format so that it can be successfully run virtually at this time.
Previous Roots and Shoots participant, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed every session, and learned and enhanced my previous knowledge. Roots and Shoots not only focused on the patient but also the ‘carers’ and the broader support networks we can access. Caring for patients and their families at this time provides me with enormous professional and personal satisfaction. Thank you.”
As part of its commitment to transforming and delivering outstanding palliative care in Jersey, Jersey Hospice Care provides a comprehensive programme of palliative care education for health and social care professionals at all levels. For more information on the European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care, “Roots and Shoots” or their full range of training, please visit www.jerseyhospicecare.com/education-and-training or email ZoeLeCornu@jerseyhospicecare.com.
