BEREAVEMENT PATHWAYS PROJECT
PILOTS

In Gloucester, there has been a comprehensive paper-based survey with questionnaires to discover the extent and limitations of bereavement services across the county, to improve and target training, and to develop a local bereavement protocol.

In Birmingham, Solihull Hospital is conducting a trial with bereavement support volunteers working within the Bereavement Centre. Where bereaved relatives wish to do so, they are able to spend some time with a volunteer going through their story and addressing any issues and concerns. They are given the option of up to eight follow-on weekly phone calls, with a further option of referral to further bereavement care and support shoulf they feel they need it.

In Cornwall, following a local networking event, work is underway on a proposal for a bereavement services co-ordinator for the County.

Other possibilities under consideration, include training in bereavement support for professionals working in hospital settings.

Research includes a review of referral information, recorded when bereaved people make that first call to seek bereavement support from community services, to provide information about why people feel they need such help; conversations held directly with bereaved people is giving valuable information on what would, in their view, improve the bereavement journey for everyone.

Further research is being carried out on the literature and signposting available to bereaved people as they leave a hospital setting, with proposals for core literature to ensure their needs for information are met before they leave the hospital setting.