PPT10 Bitesize learning: enhancing district nursing teams’ confidence and knowledge in end-of-life care

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Background District Nurses (DNs) in Stockport provide a 24-hour service to a population of 300,000, across seven Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and thirty GP practices. In the past 12 months, 55,454 people died, with 15% in care homes and 17.4% at home. DNs are pivotal in delivering high-quality end-of-life care (EOLC) in community settings. While mandatory EOLC training is undertaken every three years, there was recognition of the need for more frequent, practical education to consolidate knowledge, skills, and confidence. Aim To enhance DN teams’ knowledge, confidence, and engagement in core EOLC principles through short, flexible learning sessions designed to empower staff to deliver consistently high standards of care. An informal ‘Bitesize Information’ programme was developed to provide accessible, discussion-based learning tailored to all DN staff bands. Methods Following a training needs analysis prompted by a DN team request for further EOLC support, topics were selected based on clinical audit findings. Session titles included Recognising Decline, Brave Conversations, and Advance Care Planning. Fifteen-minute interactive sessions were delivered during daily team meetings at a pilot DN site covering six GP practices within one PCN, over a three-month period. Sessions encouraged reflection, peer learning, and team discussion, with concise take-home resources reinforcing key messages and supporting application in practice. Results Across five sessions, thirty-seven delegates attended. Of those providing feedback (50%), participants reported increased confidence in recognising and responding to EOLC needs, improved team communication, and greater use of EOLC tools in practice. The embedded approach promoted sustainability without disrupting workload. Feedback was captured through post-session surveys and informal discussion. Conclusion The bitesize programme represents a scalable, sustainable model for enhancing community EOLC education. It complements formal training, strengthens team cohesion, and supports consistent, high-quality patient and family care. Wider roll-out across all Stockport PCNs is planned on a rolling, audit-informed basis, with ongoing evaluation to assess impact on practice and outcomes.

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