Aim
The Highland region of Scotland covers an area of over 12,000 square miles, around 41% of Scotland's land surface area with 299,000 residents, which is one sixth of the total UK landmass. The only specialist palliative care centre available for this geographical area is the Highland Hospice, presenting real challenges for the provision of equitable services. In order to meet government led strategy there is a drive to improve palliative care services for patients with conditions other than cancer. The aim of this evaluation is to evaluate the proposed outreach service being developed by the Highland Hospice. In particular, the aim is to explore the processes that the outreach service uses to meet the states outcomes of the service from patient, carer and stakeholder perspectives.
Why is this research important?
The proposed outreach service being developed by the Highland Hospice, seeks to address the gaps in provision in the more rural areas, through the development of an 'outreach team', who would work closely with patients, key healthcare professionals, community hospital sand care homes.
Who are we working with?
Dr Bridget Johnston, Senior Research Fellow at the CCRC is the project lead. Dr Nicola Illingworth, Research Fellow CCRC is working on this evaluation working with key personnel at Highland Hospice.
Involvement of people affected by cancer
As a key part of this evaluation, a service user group will be established to provide advice and guidance throughout the evaluation. In particular, the group will assist in the development of tools that will be used during the evaluation.
How will the study be carried out?
An evaluation will be used involving both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the process of implementing the outreach evaluation with Chochinov's dignity model as an overall framework.
When will this study take place?
This project begins in January 2009 and ends in December 2010.
How will the review be disseminated?
A final report of the evaluation's main findings will be written. Concise lay summaries for patients and carers and concise summaries of the key findings and recommendations for health and social care professionals will also be published in hard copy and distributed to all who participated in the evaluation.
Funding Organisation
This project evaluation has been commissioned and funded by the Highland Hospice Board.