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Nursing

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/24

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Start date: 1989Has files: No

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    P-114 Towards a bereavement-friendly university: reflections from a university hospice partnership
    (British Medical Journal Publishing Group, 2025-11-21) Young, Julie; Gardner, Hilary; Tsiris, Giorgos; Beveridge, Joanna; Haraldsdottir, Erna; Hastings, Donna; Elliot, Michelle; Dick, Suzie; Doherty, Beth; Donnelly, Kirsty; Reid, Muriel; Green, Gayle; Mountain, Kristina; Mathieson, Vivian; Luhanga, Lisa; Lansdown, Katrina; Longo, Giacinta; Taylor,Elisabeth
    Background: The UK Commission on Bereavement states that it is incumbent on society to work together to support those affected by bereavement (UK Commission on Bereavement. Bereavement is everyone’s business: Scotland briefing. 2022), and the Scottish Bereavement Summit Report recommends that bereaved people be supported in their workplace (Good Death, Good Life, Good Grief. Scottish Bereavement Summit final report. 2023). Scotland’s first Bereavement Charter for Children and Adults was developed by a coalition of organisations and launched in 2020. This Charter is human rights-based and provides a set of statements on how bereaved people can be supported (NHS Education Scotland. Scotland launches its first human rights-based Charter for Bereavement. [new item] 2020 Apr 15). To guide organisations to become bereavement-friendly workplaces, the Bereavement Charter Mark (Good Death, Good Life, Good Grief. Bereavement Charter Mark. 2020 [internet]) can be achieved by taking specific actions that demonstrate it is a workplace where staff feel supported in their experiences of loss and grief. Aim: To demonstrate the development of Queen Margaret University as a bereavement-friendly workplace through its partnership with St Columba’s Hospice Care. Method The initial working group consisted of staff from the Divisions of Nursing and Paramedic Science, and Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies. Working in collaboration with hospice staff, the group achieved the Charter Mark. Since then, the group expanded to incorporate staff from across the university, including Human Resources, and has begun to coordinate the development and implementation of an action plan. This plan aims to create the conditions for bereaved staff to feel supported by the people around them, the university’s governance and its culture. Results: Achievement of the Charter Mark has initiated the group to support the review of the university’s bereavement and compassionate leave policies and facilitate two university-wide events focusing on death, grief and bereavement. Conclusion: Through the university hospice partnership, awarding of the Charter Mark and the work of the group, Queen Margaret University is developing the conditions for a sustainable, bereavement-friendly organisation. Learnings have also emerged regarding the crucial role of partnership work for building caring capacity within organisations.
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    P-226 Adapting higher education to meet the learning needs of the workforce in palliative care: a university hospice partnership approach
    (British Medical Journal Publishing Group, 2025-11-21) Young, Julie; Gardner, Hilary; Tsiris, Giorgos; Haraldsdottir, Erna; Cruickshank, Fiona; Williams, Elvin
    Background In Scotland, people are living longer, the prevalence of chronic conditions is rising, and the need for palliative care is projected to increase significantly (Finucane, Bone, Etkind, et al. BMJOpen. 2021;11:e041317). Specifically, there is a need for increased capacity in specialist and generalist palliative care skills (Scottish Government. Palliative and end-of-life care strategy aims principles and priorities. Scottish Government; 2023). The changing landscape is compounded by Scotland’s healthcare staffing crisis (Royal College of Nursing. The nursing workforce in Scotland 2024 report. Royal College of Nursing, Scotland; 2024). The workforce faces evolving needs, not least the need for healthcare professionals to hold sufficient knowledge to support the delivery of palliative care (Hospice UK. The future of hospice care in Scotland. Hospice UK; 2021). In line with strategy (The Scottish Government. Palliative care strategy: Palliative Care Matters for All. Scottish Government; 2024), a key component of the partnership between St Columba’s Hospice Care and Queen Margaret University is the education of healthcare professionals working with people with palliative care needs. The university hospice partnership supports the provision of two higher education programmes and contributes to the palliative care curriculum across the university. Aim: To outline how the university hospice partnership has helped to widen accessibility and increase the flexibility of palliative care higher education for health professionals. Method: The following changes have been introduced to the programmes since 2022: a move to online delivery, introducing asynchronous learning opportunities, increasing module choice, opening to applicants globally, and advertising the option to access our modules as stand-alone or electively from other programmes. Results: Our responsive approach increased accessibility and engagement, to include students from a wider range of disciplines and geographical locations. There has been a consistent number of students accessing our programmes. Increasingly, however, potential applicants face barriers to accessing funding and support from their employers. Conclusion: Our responsive and ongoing adaptive approach has widened the student demographic. Increasingly, healthcare professionals face significant challenges in accessing the support necessary to engage with higher education. The university partnership recognises that to meet the ongoing educational needs of the workforce, it is crucial to continue with our responsive, flexible and adaptable approach.
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    Using a person-centred model of Lean Six Sigma to support process improvement within a paediatric primary eye care clinic
    (Emerald, 2025-12-11) Bourke, Christine; Mullaniff, Aaron; Tang, Bobby; Waya, Oriyomi; Teeling, Sean Paul
    Purpose Process improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma are increasingly being deployed to address inefficiencies in healthcare. Simultaneously, global policy and strategy development stress the value of person-centredness in healthcare. This paper examines the application of a Person-Centred Lean Six Sigma Model (PCLSSM) to improve processes in a paediatric eye care clinic, specifically focusing on streamlining the referral system and optimising the clinic environment. Design/methodology/approach A quasi-experimental, single-site, pretest–posttest study was conducted over nine months using the Lean Six Sigma define, measure, analyse, improve and control (DMAIC) framework. Data were gathered through Voice of the Customer (VOC) sessions, Gemba observations, process mapping and referral letter audits. Key stakeholders, including clinicians, administrative staff and parents, co-designed the interventions to enhance efficiency and patient experience. Findings The application of the PCLSSM resulted in a 46% increase in right-first-time referral accuracy, a 20% reduction in referral processing time, a 13% increase in staff confidence in the referral system, a 158% improvement in staff satisfaction with workload and a 104% rise in child and parent satisfaction with their clinic experience. The implementation of an electronic referral system and an improved clinic environment contributed to these improvements. Originality/value This study is the first to integrate a person-centred approach with Lean Six Sigma in paediatric ophthalmology. The findings demonstrate the potential of combining process improvement methodologies with person-centred principles to enhance operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction. This approach can serve as a model for similar outpatient settings seeking to improve service delivery and patient experience.
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    What is a good mentor?
    (MA Healthcare, 2023-04-05) Ford, Derek
    From the perspective of an NQP, Derek Ford offers his views of what makes a good mentor.
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    Reflecting on every case
    (MA Healthcare, 2023-06-02) Ford, Derek
    As Derek Ford approaches his first full year as an NQP, he reflects on his growth in practice.
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    On reflective practice
    (MA Healthcare, 2023-08-25) Ford, Derek
    Derek Ford shares his experiences of reflective practice and why he now advocates for it.
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    Keep learning
    (MA Healthcare, 2023-12-04) Ford, Derek
    In his last column, Derek Ford reflects on his learning experiences and offers up some wisdom.
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    Four pillars to stand on
    (MA Healthcare Ltd, 2023-10-04) Ford, Derek
    Derek Ford reflects on the importance of the four pillars of advanced practice.
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    Women's experiences of the transition to motherhood and self-compassion
    (Mark Allen Group, 2024-09-20) Hunter, Stephanie; Dickson, Caroline
    Health visitors have a pivotal role in supporting women in their transition to motherhood, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to help them cope and thrive. This review was conducted to appraise the current literature around the role of self-compassion in the transition to motherhood and women's experiences of this, as well as the effectiveness of self-compassion on women's psychological wellbeing in this transition. Databases were searched against an inclusion criterion and 11 studies were selected for review. Review findings give insights into how self-compassion practices can aid the transition to motherhood by mitigating psychological challenges and promoting maternal wellbeing and mother–infant bonding. Self-compassion training opportunities should be provided to health visitors and other health professionals working with women from pregnancy, to competently deliver and facilitate such interventions.
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    A scoping review exploring people’s perceptions of healthcare uniforms
    (Mark Allen Group, 2024-08-13) Cooper, Mark; Kindness, Karen; McCulloch, Margot; McParland, Chris
    Background: Healthcare staff uniforms are a subject of debate in the UK, and this is particularly true in the case of less understood roles such as advanced nurse practitioners. Aim: This review explores what is known about people’s perceptions of health professionals’ uniforms. Method: A mixed methods scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. Five databases (CINAHL, ASSIA, PsycINFO, and EMBASE) and several search engines were searched. Eligible reports were peer-reviewed English-language studies using any methodology to explore people’s perceptions of different uniforms for health professionals. Findings: Forty-six studies (mainly from North America) were included, presenting a variety of perspectives on the uniforms worn by doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Conclusion: Culture and context likely influence how uniforms are understood. Practitioners should consider how this may affect communication with both patients and colleagues. What health professionals wear matters, particularly in relation to less well understood roles.