12 Competency based palliative care education in acute hospital

Background All Healthcare professionals including nurses should be competent to provide the best end of life care. We developed Professional Development in Palliative and End of Life Care Programme to enhance learning and teaching to registered nurses and allied healthcare professionals. The aim of the programme is to provide high quality evidence-based end of life care and maintain the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating of ‘Outstanding’’. Methods This in-house programme uses the End of Life Care core skills education and training framework, developed by Health Education England. Programme consists 5 half-day and 1 full day study sessions for the theoretical component of the course and half-day to shadow Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist mentor. The practical elements are work-based and are guided by a competency portfolio and reflective practice. Evaluations were completed pre- and post-teaching assessing knowledge, skills and confidence on 0–5 scale for each session. Results Total 34 attendees attended from September 2018-June 2019 in 3 cohorts. Attendees found every session helpful, interesting and informative, ‘Pain management’ session was most informative of all. There was increase in knowledge, skills and confidence after each session. Average increase in knowledge in psychological issues from 2.61 to 3.85, principles of pain management from 2.23 to 4.26. Average increase in skills in palliative care emergencies was from 2.76 to 3.88, ethical dilemmas was from 2.67 to 3.20. Average increase in confidence in pain assessment was from 2.32 to 4.02, complex communication skills from 2.82 to 4.20, cultural care from 2.53 to 3.75. Conclusion Programme has received positive feedback with increase in knowledge, skills and confidence. Attendees are cascading their learning to other healthcare professionals in their clinical areas supported by their mentor. The challenge of some missed session by attendees will be addressed by encouragement. Based on the results, programme for healthcare assistants is being developed.