03 March 2025
A new research study has started at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) into a compassionate bereavement support programme for healthcare staff.
Jules Lewis, Swan End of Life Care Facilitator, Lead Nurse and Lead for Staff Bereavement Support Service, and Jules Lock, Lead Swan End of Life Care Volunteer, are the creators of the OWEN Model that has inspired the study. “OWEN” is an acronym for Openness, Wellbeing, Empathy and New Beginnings.
The aim of the study is to test the OWEN model, explore healthcare staff’s perceptions of taking part in a bereavement support programme and the perceived impact this has on their health and wellbeing. The research project has been funded by NHS England and the University of Staffordshire.
The study will be evaluated to create an ongoing tailored programme of support and to also provide evidence to suggest that other organisations should invest in a bereavement programme due to the beneficial effects on health and wellbeing.
Under the OWEN model, the “O”, for openness, refers to staff being given the time and space, to share their feelings about the death of a loved one or colleague or a patient they have cared for.
The “W” for Wellbeing, makes sure that staff are at the centre of the support given. Staff will also be signposted to other services if required, however, the need of each staff member participating will vary greatly.
The “E” for empathy centres around compassion, kindness and understanding. Throughout the study, the use of appropriate and kind language is key to everything.
Finally, the “N” for new beginning shows grief can remain with us for the rest of our lives, however, this study is enabling staff to move forward with hope, whilst never forgetting the person who has died.
Jules Lewis said: “I am very passionate about supporting people following a bereavement, it can be very hard to return to work after the death of a loved one, especially when you work in the NHS as you may be looking after patients in their last hours or days of their life. Supporting our staff so they can continue to support others is so important.
“I would like to thank our trained volunteers who will support this pilot study, the Psychology Service who will provide supervision during the duration of the pilot study, SaTH Research Team and my supervisors Wilf McSherry and Fiona Cust from The University of Staffordshire.”
The pilot study started last month and includes staff having one-to-one bereavement support sessions. These sessions aim to give the person time and space to have support following a personal bereavement, or if affected by a colleague or patient death.
Previously, there was no designated room or space to have these compassionate conversations, meaning that they were sometimes held in spaces that were not conducive to giving much needed support. Now a new room will be provided for staff, so they have a dedicated room to have important conversations in calm, inviting, comfortable and safe space that allows them to be heard and supported.
The room is in memory of Joan Owen, who died during the pandemic in 2020. A plaque has been created in her memory. The official opening is planned for May 2025 and will be opened by family and friends of Joan.