Case study:

11 May 2010

Setting up a staff support group at Waltham Hall

Key points

Waltham Hall Nursing Home in Leicestershire has set up a weekly support group to help staff improve their skills in relation to end of life care.

The ‘Butterfly Group’ is open to all staff who have completed the Macmillan Foundations of Palliative Care course.

Staff meet up for 1-2 hours each week for training in palliative care and to exchange ideas.

Those involved say they feel more confident as a result and are able to communicate better with residents and families during end of life care.

They can also recognise when someone’s life is drawing to a close, which has led to better care and avoiding being overtaken by events.