Whipps team recognised for end‑of‑life excellence
For more than five years, the End-of-Life Care (EOLC) Champions programme at Whipps Cross Hospital has been transforming how patients and their loved ones experience care at the most critical moments. What began with standardised resources and staff training has grown into a powerful, frontline-led movement for improvement.
Today, more than 40 champions — nurses, healthcare assistants and allied health professionals — are embedded across adult inpatient wards, driving change where it matters most. Early work focused on consistency; over time, it evolved into practical, ward-based initiatives. In the past two years, progress has accelerated, with champions leading quality improvement (QI) work. Through local First Steps in QI training, they have been empowered to use data to monitor outcomes and respond to patient needs, supported by QI Matron Amina Osman.
The impact is visible across the hospital. Champions have introduced comfort boxes to support families at the bedside, improved mouth care for patients, developed staff training videos and established dedicated EOLC boards on every ward. Using insights from the National Audit of Care at the End of Life (NACEL), they identified gaps in pain assessment, nutrition, hydration and advance care planning, then led targeted improvement cycles to address them—delivering measurable and sustained progress.
For those involved, the role is both practical and deeply personal. TJ, an EOLC champion on Nightingale Ward, said: "Being an EOLC champion has empowered me to drive meaningful change and take pride in improving care. It’s a privilege to advocate for patients and support compassionate, holistic care. The role has been deeply fulfilling."
That commitment is recognised by patients and families. Jennie Worthington, Patient Panel chair at Whipps Cross, said: "You can truly feel the difference our EOLC champions are making for patients and their loved ones. Their kindness, commitment and drive to improve care shine through every day."
The programme is now recognised nationally as a case study in the NACEL State of the Nation Report 2025 — one of only five selected nationwide. End of life care education facilitator Shanthini Avorgbedor said: "This recognition is a testament to the dedication, compassion and leadership of our staff, and to the power of empowering teams to improve care from the ground up."
Dr Claire Dow, consultant geriatrician and divisional director for Medicine at Whipps Cross Hospital, added: “To be one of only five organisations selected from 178 trusts across England is a significant accomplishment, and something we should all be very proud of."
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