Within this self directed learning section you will find resources on:
Common symptoms experienced by those with COVID-19 at end of life
Strategies for managing COVID-19 symptoms for those at the end of life
Communication approaches to breaking bad news and difficult conversations
Changes to care after death in light of COVID-19
We have collated a range of resources in relation to supporting patients and their families during end of life as a result of COVID-19. Please watch and engage with the screen cast and presentation to start with- this lasts approx 50 minutes. Then take a look through a few of the resources.
PLEASE NOTE: This was created for the Aspirant (3rd year students who were allocated a paid final placement) and so not all of the information may be relevant or applicable to 1st year MSc students on Placement.
*Phase 1 Nursing students who started placement in April 20 - the screen cast here is a revised version of the one presented to you in April and has the most up to date guidance (to note- guidance has changed in light of deaths and requirements of care after death/end of life care medication dosages due to COVID-19 since the April sessions).
Palliative Care:
Up to date guidance from the Association of Palliative Medicine. Helpful guides for symptom control. Association for Palliative Medicine (2020, April 6) COVID-19 and Palliative, End of Life and Bereavement Care in Secondary Care Role of the speciality and guidance to aid care.
Symptom Management:
This link is a live site provided by NICE with the most up to date resources for symptom management
Talking to relatives
Delivering bad news
Coroner's Guide ( for background reading)
RCN COVID-19 guidance on DNACPR and verification of death (2020) https://www.rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/end-of-life-care/covid-19-guidance-on-dnacpr-and-verification-of-death
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses and other clinicians are likely to face a sharp and sustained rise in the volume of urgent decisions to take around cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and what is in the best interests of each individual person under their care.
See the Joint NMC/RCN statement regarding Decisions Relating to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) updated March 2020
DOH (2020 31 March) Guidance for care of the deceased with suspected or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) Published 31 March 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-care-of-the-deceased/guidance-for-care-of-the-deceased-with-suspected-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19
Advice primarily designed to assist people who are required to manage the bodies of deceased persons infected with coronavirus (COVID-19).
This guidance has been developed to ensure that:
the bodies of those people who have died as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the bereaved family of the deceased are treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect
people who work in these services and mourners are protected from infection
This guidance remains under review and may be updated in line with the changing situation as required
Bereavement Management in a time of crisis- a new free resource by Lewis, Lock and Lilley
https://files.constantcontact.com/9bc520cb001/d7cb83aa-f314-439a-bdd0-c4fcb705140d.pdf
Free e-learning for Health materials (brought together by Health Education England) which revisits many of the things we have covered.
End of life care and COVID https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Catalogue/Index?HierarchyId=0_45016_45128&programmeId=45016