PA19 'closing the gap': a community engagement project

Dove House Hospice serves a population of about 600,000 covering Hull and East Riding. About 42% of people in Hull and East Riding die in their usual residence. Dove House Hospice's vision is to provide excellent specialist palliative care and support to patients, their families and carers in the locality. Despite excellent services provided, there was evidence of lack of awareness. A project, using a community engagement approaches, was therefore developed to close this gap.

Raise awareness about death, dying, loss and care; and services provided by Dove House Hospice Improve partnerships between Dove House Hospice and the community. Increase social supports to those who experiences death, dying, loss and caregiving.

Two postcode areas, namely Cottingham and Bransholme, were initially selected for two-week community engagement activities. The key approaches used were: direct engagement with the public, participation in community activities, engagement with local primary health care services and distribution of information leaflets. Evaluation approach: Use of pre and post activities questionnaire and feedback meetings with key community members.

Leaflets were distributed to a total of about 18,000 addresses. Immediate result include: Increased donation, increased application for volunteering and increased referrals. Community involvement in end of life care waits to be evaluated.

This is an on-going project. Early indications are that there has been improved awareness of the hospice services and interest in the hospice's activities. The project has also contributed to the hospice being included in the pathfinder charter community.