Scholl Academic Centre formally launches Needs Assessment findings to better understand and develop Integrated Palliative and End of Life Care on our Island

On Monday 23rd November 2020 Hospice Isle of Man was delighted that Minister for Health and Social Care, David Ashford formally launched their Scholl Academic Centre’s findings from the Needs Assessment, ‘Integrated Palliative and End of Life Care for the Isle of Man 2020’ amongst esteemed guests including His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Richard Gozney and the Chief Minister.

 

The Needs Assessment is the evidence base for the work outlined in ‘From Vision to Reality: The Island Plan for Integrated Palliative and End of Life Care 2018-2023’. The Island’s plan was created by the Strategic Partnership Steering Group (SPSG), a group led by Hospice Isle of Man with the Department of Health and Social Care and Council of Voluntary Organisations.

 

Over the last two years Hospice's researchers from the Academic Research Team of the Scholl Academic Centre have brought together data from multiple sources to understand what is currently working well and what needs remain to be met.  This has included engaging with people in our community to find out what matters to them so as to better understand and develop Integrated Palliative and End of Life Care on our Island.

 

Talking about the launch Anne Mills, Hospice Isle of Man Chief Executive and Director of the Scholl Academic Centre said:

“The completion of the Needs Assessment is a significant milestone and achievement in helping us understand and meet people’s needs on our Island.

The ability for Hospice to offer greater choice relies on the development of a flexible Integrated Palliative and End of Life Care Service, and I am so pleased the findings from this research will enable the new Integrated Palliative and End of Life Care Delivery Group to deliver services which meets the future needs of our Island.

For Hospice this academic research will allow us to develop and evaluate new models of integrated palliative and end of life care that better suits the needs of our patients and service users, giving them more choice in where they receive their ‘Hospice Influenced Care’.”

 

Funded by the Manx Lottery Trust, the Needs Assessment was awarded a grant to help improve our community and the lives of people most in need, something Sarah Kelly, Chairman to the Manx Lottery Trust felt aligned with their aspirations.

 

Speaking with Sarah she said:

“We were pleased to be able to support the Needs Assessment work undertaken by The Scholl Academic Centre’s Research Team which aims to examine the current and near future needs of the Isle of Man. The report makes very interesting reading and highlights the need for collaboration in various areas. We are pleased that this evidence is now in place to be built upon in coming years.”

Some of the key findings outlined in the Needs Assessment show that what matters to people most is choice in where they receive their care and where they die when the time comes. This supports Hospice Isle of Man’s five year strategy to support the people of our Island to live well, their way, to the end of their life providing personal and flexible ‘hospice-influenced care’ in a setting of the patient’s choice.

 

All methods and detailed results in the Needs Assessment can be found in the full report and its associated appendices available at: www.hospice.org.im/NeedsAssessment