Deciding Right

Deciding Right is an initiative to raise public awareness about the decisions people can make in advance about the care they wish to receive at their end of life.

Deciding Right has been implemented across Cumbria by three facilitators working collaboratively. Initially GP surgeries were targeted where practice staff were involved in incorporating the Deciding Right documents into individual GP systems. As well as working face to face with GP practice staff we also ran Deciding Right training workshops which were opened up to other health and social teams. The standard documentation was quickly adopted and, more importantly, the early introduction of discussion with patients and families concerning their wishes and preferences.

Over the past eighteen months, the majority of surgeries and health and social service teams have engaged with this process. Education and interaction has spread to specialist teams, care agencies, patient groups and the general public.

For further information about Deciding Right please call Hospice at Home West Cumbria, Workington Community Hospital on 01900 705200 or alternatively you can visit Deciding Right for further details and downloads.


Six Steps

Six Steps promotes the standard of service that people experience when accessing Hospice services but in alternative environments of their choice as they approach the end of their life. The focus is about opening conversations at a time when individuals feel comfortable and safe to do so. It works closely with the Deciding Right initiative and promotes the documentation to record these thoughts and wishes so people are empowered to die in their place of choice whenever possible.

‘Champions’ lead the organisational change and cascade to colleagues after attending a comprehensive training programme supported by a facilitator.

Over 30 Care Homes and two Domiciliary Care Organisations have completed the scheme with positive feedback and audit. Forums have been established to share good practice and experiences and to identify any local trends that require support from further education or training.

For further information about Six Steps to Success please call Hospice at Home West Cumbria, Workington Community Hospital on 01900 705200.