Leigh Hospice

Abstract Introduction Healthier Wigan, is a partnership between the local NHS and council, alongside GPs, voluntary organisations, and community groups. In April 2022 the partnership commenced a pilot to develop and implement a Single Point of Access for all adult palliative care referrals across the borough. WHISPAR (Wigan Healthier partnership Integrated Specialist Palliative Care Active Response). Aim Ensure the right support by the right people at the right time.

Abstract Introduction Significant challenges facing the bereavement support service, post-pandemic: 1.4 WTE, for both counselling and bereavement support. One–to–one bereavement support actively offered to all relatives of deceased patients. Long and complex assessment tool. No triage in place. No limit on sessions, concerns we were fostering dependency. Waiting time of up to 15 months. Limited training supporting families. No evaluation of service impact.

Abstract Background ‘People who use alcohol and other drugs, and who are over the age of 40 are now more likely to die of a non-drug related cause than people who use substances under the age of 40’ (Witham, Galvani, Peacock. Health Soc Care Community. 2019;27:e637–e650). This population will therefore potentially need greater access to palliative and end of life care services, however, considerable gaps are evident.