Communication in the development of culturally competent palliative care services in the UK: a case study

Research suggests that many minority ethnic patients who receive palliative care in the UK are satisfied with the service they are given. However, various studies have revealed that minority ethnic groups' experiences of care are far from perfect. The most significant problem for these patients centres on communication. This article presents some results from an exploratory study, commissioned by Luton Health Action Zone, to explore the role of communication in delivering effective palliative care services to South Asians living in Luton. Overall, it was found that the services provided are, in most cases, valued and seen as being effective. However, as the service providers who were interviewed readily recognized, there were areas where improvements could be made. The main issues were found to be the need to inform South Asian populations of the availability of palliative care services and the need to improve communication between patients and service providers. This article describes the communication problems that service providers and users face. It also identifies possible policy improvements aimed at developing the 'cultural competency' of services.