Resources for health and social care professionals

• As an integrated care system, we aim to work collaboratively to deliver high quality care 

• Improving access by increased identification of patients who are in the last 12 months of their life 

  • Equity, reduced health inequalities and improved access for communities to appropriate care and services where they live locally 

• Improving quality of service provision and improved quality of life and health outcomes 

  • Personalised care and support planning (PCSP) including Advanced Care Planning for all patients 

  • Supportive services with pre and post bereavement support 

• Improving sustainability by effective care pathways and sustainable redesign 

• Providing end of life information which is of high quality, timely and sufficient 

• Reduce unnecessary emergency hospital admissions and crises for patients and carers 

• To help patients to remain independent as possible in their own surroundings and die comfortably and with dignity in their chosen place of setting 

• To support our workforce with access to high quality guidance, education and training resources and health and wellbeing support 

​​​System-wide approach and responsibities

As a Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (ICS) we are working closely and collaboratively with the local NHS (Primary, Secondary, community), Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, third sector, voluntary and faith sector to provide effective, efficient and economical services. 

Effective advanced care planning is important and is a process in helping to make decisions about a persons wishes for the future. 

“Advance care planning is a process that supports adults at any age or stage of health in understanding and sharing their personal values, life goals, and preferences regarding future medical care. The goal of advance care planning is to help ensure that people receive medical care that is consistent with [them].” (British Geriatrics Society, 12 May 2020). 

An advance care planning discussion may result in one or more outcomes: 

• Statement of Preferences and Wishes 

• Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment 

• Appointment of a legal advocate- Lasting Power of Attorney 

Please see How to support Advanced Care Planning (ACP) for further information and resources. 

Advance Care Planning - Macmillan Cancer Support (Youtube Video: Advance Care Planning - Macmillan Cancer Support - YouTube) 

In Birmingham and Solihull we have identified greater differences in access to end of life information and services across our communities. 

There is often stigma attached to being diagnosed with a terminal illness and / or receiving palliative care, which can result in people being less likely to access available services. 

We will work as System Stakeholders to enable all of our communities in Birmingham and Solihull to: 

• Have equity in access to culturally and spiritually appropriate end of life care. 

• Serve the needs of our diverse communities and population 

• Reduce health inequalities experienced in care and access to services 

• To value the unique differences of our population and consider the 9 Protected Characteristics (Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation). 

An Interactive Infographic has been developed to provide a resource and guidance to support patients at the end of their life. By clicking on the drop down boxes, you will be able to follow links to more detailed information and resources. (If viewing via a mobile phone you cannot view an interactive PDF - click here to download the list of services).

Palliative care offers physical, emotional and practical support to people with a terminal illness. It can be offered at any point after a terminal diagnosis. 

Palliative Care is provided by many Health Professionals and the below diagram explains the 3 tiers.