Case study:

20 July 2011

New end of life care qualification for care home staff in the West Midlands

Key points

More than 380 care home staff in the West Midlands are expected to achieve a new end of life care qualification designed to improve general end of life care awareness and reduce inappropriate hospital admissions.

The qualification (BTEC Level 2 Intermediate Certificate in End of Life Care) has been devised by CQ3 Training Ltd and is delivered as four half-day training courses, each worth one unit.

According to the company’s evaluation, this has led to a reduction in inappropriate admissions from care homes to hospital, greater awareness and improved communication with care home residents about end of life care.

The qualification was developed using a learning network consisting of care home leads. CQ3 also asked carers and service users what would benefit them.

One of the main challenges of the project, which was funded by NHS West Midlands, was engaging effectively with a large number of care homes. The company used an NHS online system, Confluence, to help co-ordination. It also held an event in the West Midlands called Breath of Life – a facilitated workshop on views about end of life care.

Evaluation was carried out at the start of the project, after each unit was completed and at the end of the project.

CQ3 is now planning to provide this qualification across the UK. The units also count as recognition of prior learning towards the Health and Social Care Diploma with awarding bodies. The company offers a Train the Trainer Programme for organisations wishing to use their own internal training resource to deliver the qualification.