News

A huge ‘congratulations’ are in order for our three newly-qualified ACP’s Emma, Sue and Hayleigh, who graduated with their Masters degrees yesterday from UCLAN.

The trio completed the two-year Masters qualification whilst working full-time at the hospice, juggling busy home lives and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emma said: “We are now qualified to assess children and young people at the hospice, whether they are showing new symptoms or if they appear to be unwell or deteriorating. We can then form a diagnosis and prescribe the relevant medication. This not only reduces the need to call GPs into the hospice as often but will hopefully prevent us from having to send children to hospital as we can manage more complex symptoms in-house.”

Lynn Grayson said: “We are always looking to improve the care we offer, and the introduction of this role supports us to establish Derian as a provider of specialist palliative and end of life care for children across Lancashire, South Cumbria and Greater Manchester.

“I am full of admiration and respect for the way that the ACPs have dealt with all the challenges they have faced over the last two years, emerging as strong clinical leaders and role models. We are already seeing the difference their specialist knowledge and skills are making to the level of care we are delivering to children and young who access support from Derian.

“On a personal level, I look forward to seeing how they continue to develop within their role ensuring that the Derian team delivers the highest quality of care to all the children, young people and families who need it.”