'Championing Change’ isn’t always easy, but it can be rewarding not only in terms of better care for patients but also for ourselves knowing that we have made a difference.
Recognising that ‘the way things always have been done’ isn’t necessarily the best way - particularly from the patient’s point of view - is the starting point for changing things for the better. Realizing that the way we work can have a profound effect on the quality of life and of death of a patient and that one person’s workplace is someone else’s death-place is so important. Each one of us has a part to play in bringing about improved quality end of life care. Each one of us is going to die – the question we must always ask is “is that what I would want for myself is that what I would want for my father my mother my partner?”
What matters most? Personal attitudes and interpersonal skills: advanced care planning and coordination; the quality of the physical environment and an ethical approach.
All of our journeys to the end of our lives will, in one way or another, be a challenge to us and everyone has a role to play in improving our journeys. From the laboratory worker looking at a slide and detecting carcinoma to the health care assistant feeding custard to a person with swallowing difficulties. From the consultant who has to break the bad news of a diagnosis to the cleaner who is engaged in conversation with a patient who cannot fully comprehend what they have been told. From the nurse who knows the patient’s favourite soap to the porter who takes them to the mortuary, from the man in the car park when you arrive to the woman who invites you to a memorial service a year later.
The great Robert Kennedy once said “each of can work to change a small portion of events.” If each one of us can work to change a small portion of a person’s journey to the end of life in hospital, then together we can make bigger changes.
No one should die alone, in an alien environment, frightened and in pain. Each one of us can make a difference, can be a champion of change and we can do it …but never alone… always together.'
Gabriel Byrne
You can be a Champion for Change
As a volunteer member of a HFH Committee in a hospital representing the public interest or providing specialist support to a HFH hospital work group.
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AND / OR
by offering your specialist expertise and advice to the HFH Programme nationally.
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As a member of staff in a hospital
Champions for Change (CFCs) will be responsible for coordinating and sustaining improvements in their respective areas. We are looking for innovative staff who are passionate about end of life care, who enjoy project and team work and who want to make a difference to the care of their patients.
The role of Champions will involve:
- Promoting ongoing culture changes in the hospital around end of life care by reviewing and challenging existing practices
- Running working groups to address particular issues around death, dying and bereavement
- Carrying out briefing sessions for selected groups of staff
- Supporting the roll out of initiatives to improve end of life care
- Working with staff to recognise their responsibility for the quality of care for people dying in their hospital
- Promoting cross-hospital
- A practical orientation and support programme will be provided to volunteer candidates. Experience and skills gained through being a CFC will assist you in other areas of teamwork within hospital settings.
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As a member of the HFH Programme Team
While there are currently no vacancies for positions on the team, we are always interested to hear from people with ‘love and steel’; people passionate about change with the skills, focus and determination to make it happen.
Phase 2 of the programme starts in April 2010 and, in this context, some further recruitment may occur of End-of-Life Care Coordinators in key national hospitals which will be grant aided through the HFH Programme.
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