Copy
View this email in your browser
Welcome to LPCN News May 2020! 

Welcome to May’s edition of LPCN News.

As we are all aware, we are working in unprecedented times and the LPCN is focussing on helping Leeds to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.  The response to the pandemic has seen the fastest and  most far-reaching repurposing of  NHS, social care and third sector services, teams and capacity.  

I’d like to thank everyone working across the breadth of palliative and end of life care for their rapid and coherent response to the evolving crisis and to their continued collaboration, support and dedication throughout this time. I’d also like to thank Dr Mike Stockton for remaining on board as co-chair with myself to provide extra resilience during the pandemic.

The LPCN team will continue to provide support and to help ensure that health and care professionals in Leeds have swift and timely access to palliative and end of life care guidance, information and support in this evolving situation. We will of course keep you updated and do please keep visiting our website for all the latest developments.

Dr Adam Hurlow, Chair, LPCN 

COVID-19 Update 


Over the past weeks, the Leeds Palliative Care Network team has been significantly focused on supporting the optimal delivery of palliative and end of life care across Leeds during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Information to support patients and families
 
We have added a quick link banner and created a specific COVID-19 page with information for patients, carers and families.
Visit www.leedspalliativecare.org.uk/helping-you/coronavirus
 
Clinical Advice and Support for Professionals
 
We’ve had a fantastic response to our newly created COVID-19 resource centre for health and care professionals in Leeds, with over 2,400 people viewing the page so far. Thanks to everyone who has accessed the materials and shared them with colleagues. The page contains:

  • Agreed Citywide symptom management guidance for Leeds
  • Last days of life including the recognition of dying
  • Advanced care planning including communication guidance and agreeing CPR recommendations
  • Decision-making support, escalation and ethical challenges
  • Symptom assessment relief and drug management
    • Particular focus around pain, breathlessness, cough and end-of-life agitation
    • Alternative prescribing in the absence of a syringe driver/medication shortages
  • Information on processes after death
  • Verification of Adult Death training for care home nurses

Visit www.leedspalliativecare.org.uk/professionals/covid-19-support-for-professionals

Medicines Update

Our medicines management lead and colleagues have worked tirelessly to support health and care professionals throughout this time. Key pieces of work include:

  • Production of 4 sets of medicines related guidance – as listed above
  • Working with Leeds CCG’s Medicines Optimisation Care Home Team to improve access to and efficient use of anticipatory medication in care homes (with nursing).
  • Responding to Medicines shortages in the community by escalating issues through NHS England, Regional Procurement Leads and Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire (CPWY).
  • Working with Leeds CCG’s Medicines Optimisation Team to map the provision of palliative care medication across the city, identify real and potential problems and work with partner organisations to enable solutions.
  • Linked in with Local Care Direct to make sure they were aware of new guidance, they had the appropriate drugs on their list and that they were able to obtain stocks of the required medication.
  • Produced LPCN briefings to highlight changes in quantities to usual anticipatory meds in order to preserve stock and reduce wastage.
 

 

ReSPECT

LPCN has collaborated with partners across the health, care and digital landscapes to support  the city-wide digital roll out of ReSPECT. This enables care and treatment recommendations and preferences to be recorded and shared effectively wherever an individual receiving care.
 

Sue Ryder Wheatfields and St Gemma’s Hospices COVID-19 Support Line


St Gemma’s and Wheatfields have launched a new helpline which is there to support anyone in Leeds with family members or friends who are critically ill or have died from any illness.

Open Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm. Call St Gemma’s on 0113 218 5544 or Wheatfield’s on 0113 203 3369.

 

 

Syringe Driver Update

Following agreement that the newly purchased 3rd Edition Syringe Drivers would not be used in community due to short battery life, we have worked with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Medical Physics team to prepare and distribute them across other partners for use in in-patient care environments.

We have distributed 35 to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2 to Leeds and York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust, 6 to Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice and 7 to St. Gemma’s Hospice. To help Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and community teams all Edition 2 Syringe Drivers waiting for servicing have been repaired and sent back for use, with partners offering loan of others if required.

 
News Update 
 
Bereaved Carers Survey

We had a good response to the Bereaved Carers Survey which closed at the end of April and for the first time included responses from primary care who distributed the survey with death certificates for community patients. Healthwatch Leeds are currently analysing the results and the report will be available shortly.

Thank you to everyone who took part and helped to promote the survey across the City. 

 
 
Supporting Dying Matters Week

LPCN are pleased to be supporting Leeds Dying Matters Partnership with their campaign during Dying Matters Week, and across the year.

Visit www.dyingmattersleeds.org for more information and resources.


 
Keep in touch

Follow us on Twitter! 

You can be the first to hear about our latest news by following us on Twitter!

Tell us what you think, get involved and join in the
conversation @LeedsPCN 
Copyright © 2020 Leeds Palliative Care Network, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp