Palliative Care Research & Development

Find out about the latest research & developments at Strathcarron Hospice

Strathcarron Hospice benefits from excellent links with the Universities of Stirling, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the University of the West of Scotland, and is actively developing a portfolio of research into palliative and end of life care. In this way, Strathcarron is helping to ensure that palliative care services meet the needs of the patient and their carers and that new ways of working are developed, evaluated, and tested before being put into practice.

Research Supported by Strathcarron

Dr Ruth Isherwood, Consultant in Palliative Medicine is currently completeing an M.D at the University of Edinburgh. She is currently researching opioid-induced hyperalgesia in patients with advanced disease. The hospice has been able to support this study in part by providing some assistance from a Community CNS for part of the study. One of the hospice volunteers is also involved in administering the project.

Sally Boa, a Speech and Language Therapist is undertaking a PhD with the University of Stirling which is funded by Strathcarron. She is exploring the impact of using ‘Goal setting’ with hospice patients.

Sally Paul, Social Worker, is undertaking a PhD with the University of Edinburgh which is also funded by Strathcarron. This study is looking at how we can make more effective links with schools.

Elaine McManus s from the Education Department is researching the benefits of a short Day Hospice intervention for patients with non-malignant illness.

Research and Development funded by other organisations

Dr Erna Haraldsdottir, Head of Education is undertaking a research project into ‘the recognition of carers needs in Primary Care’ which is supported by a research grant from the NHS.

Janice Christie and Alison Moodie, from our Community CNS team have been funded by the Burdett Trust to develop a community palliative care service for patients with advanced Respiratory Disease.

We have appointed a Film Maker in Residence, Amy Hardie, who will explore the use of documentary intervention techniques in end of life care.  This is funded by Creative Scotland.