West Midlands Ambulance Service joins patient-centred study to improve end-of-life care
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has begun work with a number of other organisations around the end of life care and services provided to people.
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The ambulance service is supporting a study evaluating the services and care that is provided by ambulance crews to people in the last year of their life.
The study aims to understand the contribution played by ambulance services in these situations and identify where improvements could be beneficial.
WMAS is working alongside Marie Curie, University of West England, South East Coast Ambulance Service and the National Institute of Health and Care Research on the ParAid study (ParAmedic delivery of end-of-life care).
Lead Research Paramedic for WMAS, Josh Miller said: “This piece of research is fundamental to ensure our patients, who are in their last year of life, and their families are receiving the best and most appropriate care that aligns with their wishes.
“It’s vital that as a service we get end-of-life care right. Everyone deserves a dignified ending to their life and one with quality care.
!The best way to ensure we’re getting it right is by asking the people that are directly affected by it.”
The researchers have said they would like to interview people who have had an ambulance call out in recent months, are 18 or older, living in their own home and in the last year of life; or a current or bereaved carer for someone in this situation.
Anyone who is interested in taking part in the study can email the research team at paraid@soton.ac.uk, call 02380 599231 or complete an online form.
