Councillors on the Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Scrutiny Board received an update this week on out of hours bereavement arrangements in Leeds following an in-depth service review to improve the experience of bereaved families.
South Leeds councillors Mohammed Iqbal, who has been engaged in this work for some time, and Andrew Scopes, the Chair of Leeds City Council’s Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Scrutiny Board, have welcomed the work done by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) and its partners to expand service provision.
Service provision has been expanded from typical working hours, to 8am-8pm, seven days a week, with an on-call model implemented from 4.30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and during weekends and bank holidays, 8am-8pm. Exceptional requests outside these hours will be considered on a case by case basis.
This will support the timely release of deceased adult patients for ceremonial and burial purposes for religious and cultural reasons.
Councillor Mohammed Iqbal (Labour, Hunslet & Riverside Ward) said:
“I welcome this new way of working which can make a huge difference to the experience of those who are grieving. It supports a process that is more sympathetic to cultural and religious requirements.
“I look forward to the continuing development of this work when it is reviewed alongside national changes being brought forward in the year ahead.”
Councillor Andrew Scopes (Labour, Beeston & Holbeck Ward) and Chair of the Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Scrutiny Board said:
“I am pleased to see the progress made by the Hospitals Trust and its partners to improve the out of hours bereavement services in Leeds.
“It is really positive that despite operational pressures and other challenges impacting on services, improvements are being implemented. I’m keen that we continue to work together with our partners to understand and support this really important area for bereaved families.”
Professor Phil Wood, Chief Executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“Thank you to Scrutiny Board colleagues for their insights and support as we continue to improve the out of hours bereavement services at the Trust. It is an extremely sensitive area of care and it’s so important that we do all we can to ensure an appropriate and considerate service.
“Thank you to our team driving forward these improvements, especially their focus on listening and doing what’s best for our people and communities.”
This post is based on a press release issued by Councillors Mohammed Iqbal and Andrew Scopes
Photo: Shutterstock
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