A consumer survey of a preschool disability service identified parents who did not feel their concerns were fully understood by professionals, nor felt involved or in agreement with treatment decisions, nor that services were provided in a coordinated way. A system of individual programme plannng (IPP) was introduced in order to address these issues and other shortfalls of the existing service. Information was obtained from 96% of parents and 87% of professionals who attended IPP meetings over a four month period. Overall There have been a number of consumer surveys assessing satisfaction with paediatric disability services. 1 8 9 While these provide useful baseline information about the quality of individual services, significant methodological variations prevent comparisons between studies. Typically, surveys tend to be one off events using locally constructed questionnaires with no information offered on changes in service delivery arising from the data. It is therefore unclear whether paediatric disability services use consumer views to direct and shape service delivery and whether consequent changes result in increased satisfaction.The purpose of the current paper is to described how a preschool disability service responded to consumer views and the effect of the resulting change in service delivery upon both parental and professional satisfaction.Bath disability services in 1990 Disability services were organised and coordinated via five children's handicap coordinating committees, each covering a geographical patch of the health district. These committees had two functions. Firstly, monitoring and evaluating overall service provision within their locality, and secondly reviewing plans for individual children. This second task was usually accomplished during half day meetings where up to 12 children would be discussed. These meetings were primarily professional reviews and parents were rarely invited. Consumer satisfaction in 1990A survey of parents of preschool children with disabilities was undertaken in the Bath health district in 1990. The survey was designed to determine parents' satisfaction with the services they received and their views as to how these could be improved.'10 1 The parents of approximately one in three of all identified preschool children with disabilities were interviewed using a specially constructed questionnaire. High overall rates of satisfaction were obtained to general questions, although specific areas of dissatisfaction clearly emerged. In particular, 41% of parents had received differing advice from professionals, 73% felt their concerns were not fully understood, 45% felt that professionals did not know who else was involved with their child, 37% did not feel involved in the decisions made about their child with 21% not agreeing with them.It was evident that many parents of preschool children with special needs felt neither understood by professionals nor involved in deciding their child's treatment programme, and that services were uncoordinated, providing diffe...

This paper discusses a multiprofessional, 4-day communication skills programme in which participants explore the challenges of communicating with cancer patients and their families. Effective communication and skilled emotional support are essential prerequisites for high quality care in oncology and palliative care settings. This aspect of care presents major challenges to nurses and other health care professionals. It is acknowledged that health professionals often lack the requisite skills to communicate meaningfully with this patient group and that tangible benefits accrue from training in this area. Using simulated patients, structured feedback and small group discussions, this multiprofessional programme seeks to provide a forum that enables participants to acquire confidence and competence in a safe, comfortable and non-threatening environment. The programme structure presents several challenges in terms of providing a learning experience that addresses the diverse educational of a heterogeneous learning group. Participants' comments and programme facilitators reflections suggest that the programme is successful in addressing these challenges and providing a meaningful learning experience.

The palliative care network nurse programme was developed to educate and skill generalist nurses in the care of the dying patient within the acute hospital setting. It developed at the request of nurses who had been involved in the piloting of the Liverpool Care of the Dying Pathway. The programme consists of a monthly meeting that encompasses an educative component and networking opportunities. In a preliminary evaluation of the programme, a questionnaire was sent to the network nurses (response rate 80%, n = 33). The nurses reported the programme to be beneficial in providing them with increased palliative care knowledge. Support and networking opportunities were also identified. This article discusses the programme, the evaluation findings and makes suggestions for further research.

The paramedic service responds to emergency calls for a variety of reasons, many relating to mental health concerns. This qualitative study aims to explore the views and experiences of student paramedics in relation to clinical decision making for mental health calls. Focus groups were used to investigate the participants' perspectives. Thematic analysis was used to organise data and identify key issues. Findings suggested some disparity between what paramedic students were prepared for and the reality of public need. Clinical decision making in relation to those with mental health problems was significantly influenced by the current provision of mental health services and the lack of mental health-specific education for student paramedics. Current changes to the paramedic programme make this an opportune time for a review of curriculum content.

Introducing community integrated nursing teams: How one ClinicalCommissioning Group applied an evidence-based approach http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/6534/ Article LJMU has developed LJMU Research Online for users to access the research output of the University more effectively. Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Users may download and/or print one copy of any article(s) in LJMU Research Online to facilitate their private study or for non-commercial research. You may not engage in further distribution of the material or use it for any profit-making activities or any commercial gain.The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of the record. Please see the repository URL above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription.