Coventry University's Faculty of Health and Life Sciences has
been awarded over £1million for projects to benefit the lives
of babies, children and young people with palliative care and their
families.
It is part of a £4 million research grant awarded to the
West Midlands from the Department of Health.
The projects, lead by Professor Jane Coad, Professor in Children
and Family Nursing and Natalie Mills, Head of Continuing
Professional Development and their team (including Coventry and
Warwickshire Nurse Consultant David Widdas) will address the needs
of babies, children and young people receiving palliative care (and
their families) in order to provide a more equitable provision of
care both regionally and nationally.
Coventry University has worked closely with Acorns Hospice,
Birmingham and a number of key stakeholders across the West
Midlands Children's Palliative Care Network to develop this
exciting project.
A large part of the project will be to lead nationally on
developing and delivering a completely innovative mode of training
using e.learning for health and social care professionals.
In due course, this will enable nurses, doctors and carers to
develop the knowledge, skills and competence to care for this group
of babies, children, young people and their families in whatever
setting they are in.
This national project will mean that from Northumbria to
Cornwall health and social care professionals will be able to
access a flexible e-learning accredited programme to progress their
skills in palliative and complex care for babies, children, young
people and families.
In addition, Professor Jane Coad, at Coventry University will
also be leading a regional evaluation of the successful services
awarded across the West Midlands.
Professor Coad said:
"The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences is very excited at the
potential of this work, not only for the University, but also for
the region and the potential impact of making a difference for this
group of babies, children, young people and their families and the
staff who deliver that care."
For more information about Coventry University, please visit
their website here: www.coventry.ac.uk