48 Enhancing end-of-life care: the role of dedicated spaces within acute hospital settings

<h3>Background</h3> In the UK, 46–50% of deaths, according to the Office for National Statistics, still occur in hospitals. Privacy at the end of life is a key element of providing dignified and compassionate care, ensuring that patients have the space and control over their surroundings during their final days. A review conducted by our team, involving feedback, highlighted the need for improvements in continuity of care, communication, and privacy which led to a quality improvement plan. <h3>Aim</h3> To promote consistent high-quality care at the end of life. To improve communication between all staff that attend the ward. To try to prevent unnecessary interventions and interruptions. To encourage staff to find out what matters most. <h3>Methods</h3> The Autumn Project served as a reminder to all staff the need to provide end-of-life care with an emphasis on privacy and a calm environment. A training video was created, featuring a carer’s story that highlighted both the positive aspects of her mother’s care and the areas in need of improvement. The project was initially implemented on two pilot wards. Prior to its launch, all staff received comprehensive training. <h3>Results</h3> The principles and education of the Autumn Project have been successfully rolled out across 13 wards at both of our acute hospital sites. Additionally, the training has been extended to staff at our community hospitals. ‘Autumn Rooms,’ which are specifically designated for patients in their final days of life, are now available in both acute hospitals and two community hospitals. Patients and those important to them have provided feedback to demonstrate the positive difference the environment made to their care. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The Autumn Project in acute hospitals offers significant benefits for dying patients and those important to them. Key outcomes include improved communication and personalised care, which may help ease the family’s bereavement process.