Critical care nurses' perception of a bereavement follow-up service

Over the last decade, care of patients' relatives has increasingly been seen to be of growing importance in the holistic approach to nursing care. Care of recently bereaved people has been encompassed within this and is now being seen as part of the nurses' role. Although there has been little empirical research, there is an increasing school of thought with the belief that much improvement can be achieved in the care of bereaved people in acute settings. The aim of this report is to give an insight into benefits and failings of a bereavement follow-up service within a critical care setting, as perceived by nurses.