Actors Emilia Fox and Martin Compson have helped launch new research into the experiences of terminally ill people, in a move which it is claimed could change end-of-life care in Scotland and elsewhere in the world.
The stars are both patrons of Ardgowan Hospice, in Greenock which is linking up with the University of the West of Scotland for the study which it is hoped will be ground-breaking.
The two year project will examine the way palliative and hospice care is delivered, by looking closely at the process from the patient and family's point of view. Medical staff and care providers will also be asked for their views to give a complete picture of how hospice and palliative care services are delivered, leading to a series of recommendations of how to help patients who are their loved ones have the best death possible.
The partnership agreement between UWS and Ardgowan Hospice will also see the Greenock-based charity become a university teaching hospice, helping provide training and education for health and social care workers.
Professor Kevin Rooney, professor of care improvement at UWS and consultant anaesthetist at Royal Alexandria Hospital, who is leading the project said: "Nobody has conducted this kind of research before and we feel it is hugely important to make sure palliative care offers the best experience possible.
"The only way to do that effectively is by asking the patients themselves what works and what doesn't.
"This is not only about providing peaceful and pain-free end of life care to palliative patients, it's very much about supporting family and patients and improving the quality of their experience."
Compston, known for roles in Sweet Sixteen, Monarch of the Glen and The Wee Man, said: "Ardgowan Hospice is something that's very close to my heart after my uncle spent his final days in their care. I'll never forget the incredible dedication of its staff to their patients.
"This ground-breaking collaboration with UWS is an amazing research opportunity, and I'm really pleased it's happening in my hometown."
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article