Exploring the delivery of end-of-life care by community nurses.

To understand what aspects of care and support were important to bereaved relatives and to explore the experiences of nurses delivering end of life care. Interviews and focus groups were undertaken with 17 family members, 31 community nurses and 13 community hospital staff. A workshop was held with 6 family members, 13 community nurses and 3 hospital nurses to review findings and make recommendations for improvement. Four themes were identified: relationships and being treated as a whole person; being able to make choices; getting help when and where it is needed; specialist advice and care, especially at the very end of life. Seeking feedback from relatives was valued both by family members and the staff and has provided an effective model to lead to focussed improvements.