1. Lothian Care Assistant Development Programme – An education initiative
Lyndsay Cassidy, Niall Kieran
Marie Curie, Scotland
Background
The Lothian Care Assistant Development Programme is an innovative initiative providing training in palliative care for care home and home care staff, complimenting existing education initiatives.
With Scottish Government’s integration of health and social care, social care teams are increasingly leading the care for elderly clients and their families who are living with a terminal illness and also have multiple complex care needs. Addressing the palliative care learning needs of social care workers is essential to ensure the provision of high quality palliative care in families’ in their preferred place of care, and to reduce emergency admissions to hospital where avoidable.
This education programme aimed to increase the knowledge and confidence of social care workers in caring for those with a terminal illness. Funded through Marie Curie and the OAK Foundation, training was delivered to care home and home care staff across City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian local authority areas.
Methodology
A tiered approach to delivery was undertaken
Participants attended a single palliative care training day, and were provided with the opportunity to complete an online module
Online learners were supported by workplace mentors who had completed mentor training and were supported by the Marie Curie programme team
Programme content was based on current best practice guidelines and reviewed by palliative care experts
The programme was delivered by specialist palliative care nurses, district nurses and social care professionals
Training was open to frontline local authority staff working in care homes and home care across the City of Edinburgh, East Lothian , Midlothian and West Lothian
Evaluation
Externally commissioned evaluation using quantitative and qualitative methods
Single day evaluation completed using a 3 point likert scale
Pre and post knowledge and confidence completed at two time points
Focus groups carried out
Findings
87% of single day attendees noted training was relevant to their work
93% of attendees have increased knowledge of pain treatment
87% of attendees have increased confidence in caring for patient and their families
93% of attendees could take learning back into their work environment
Highlights
I used to be quite task focused in my role, this course made me realise I need to be more person centred
Over 500 frontline staff attended single day training course
68 participants enrolled in the online training programme
Evaluation demonstrates impact of training on individuals working practices
Evaluation also demonstrates the positive impact it has on team working within the health and social care sector
Since I have done the course….I feel like I can provide better care and support to my clients and their families.
I understand now the role that different team members play….I feel confident to speak with them if my client has any issues
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