Experiences of the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Hospices in the West Midlands, 2021-2022

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People with life-limiting conditions are some of the most vulnerable to Covid-19. Many are supported by local hospices, which provide a variety of physical, emotional, social and spiritual healthcare, focusing on the quality of life left. However, not much was known about what happened to people with life-limiting conditions or those that cared for them during the pandemic or what their ongoing needs might be.

The study’s aim was to identify nationally relevant recommendations to mitigate adverse relational, social and healthcare impacts of Covid-19 upon hospices and their service users. The West Midlands region provided an ideal context in which to explore these issues, with its diverse community and broad demographic population.

During the research 70 people were interviewed on the telephone or via a video call: 18 people with life-limiting conditions; 15 carers, 25 frontline hospice staff; and, 12 senior hospice managers. They were recruited from seven hospices across the West Midlands between April 2021 and January 2022. Interviews lasted between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Interviews provided rich and in-depth descriptions of participants’ experiences of the hospice during the pandemic.

Patients: 12 identified as female and six as male, all identified as heterosexual; 15 identified as white-British ethnicity, two as Asian or Asian British Indian, and one as Black, African, Caribbean or Black British. Age ranges by decade were requested, with the greatest number of participants (n=8) being between 60-69, ranging from one participant in their 30s and four in their 80s.

Carers: 14 identified as female and one male; all identified as heterosexual; and eleven identified as white-British ethnicity, two as Asian or Asian British Indian or Bangladeshi, one as Black, African, Caribbean or Black British, and one Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups, White and Black Caribbean. The greatest number of participants (n=6) were aged between 40-49, ranging from one participant in their 30s and three in their 70s.

Staff: The research project recruited to cover a range of hospice roles, including doctors, allied health professionals, and support services. 23 staff identified as female, 24 as heterosexual and one as bisexual; all identified as white-British ethnicity. The greatest number of participants (n=13) were aged between 50-59, ranging from seven participants in their 30s and one in their 60s.

Managers: All participants identified as white British and nine identified as female. Ages ranged from 30s to 60s, with most being in their 40s or 50s.

Main topics: Experiences of how the Covid-19 pandemic affected patient, carers, staff and senior managers in the West Midlands.