Putting patients first: An update on how data is shaping better care at Pilgrims
At Pilgrims Hospices, caring for people at the end of life is about more than treating illness – it’s about comfort, dignity, emotional support, its about helping patients and their families feel less alone.
One of the ways we make sure we are giving the best possible care is by listening carefully to the people we support and learning from their experiences.
We ask simple, thoughtful questions about things such as pain, nausea, breathlessness, anxiety and how supported someone feels, their need for information and concerns about equipment and similar.
These insights help our teams understand not just what someone is going through, but how care is making a difference day by day. Increasingly, we are also looking at wellbeing (including emotional support and how carers are coping), gaining a fuller picture of each person’s experience.
The learning from this is powerful. Many people come to Pilgrims with difficult symptoms. For example, a significant number of patients arrive experiencing high levels of pain. During their time with us, that changes.
We see clear improvements in comfort, with far fewer people reporting severe pain as care continues. Breathlessness and other distressing symptoms show similar patterns of improvement.
Just as importantly, families tell us they feel less anxious.
When people feel informed, supported and reassured, they can focus on spending precious time together.
Aaron Salter, Business Intelligence Lead at Pilgrims Hospices, explains:
“We’re not just looking at numbers, we’re listening to what patients and families tell us about their symptoms, their worries and how supported they feel. When we see pain levels reduce, nausea or breathlessness ease, or family anxiety fall, that shows us our care is making a real difference. It also helps us learn and keep improving.”
These insights help clinical teams tailor care to each individual. If something isn’t working as well as it could, they can respond quickly and adapt.
Dr Pia Amsler, Medical Director at Pilgrims Hospices, adds:
“These measures help us understand how someone is really feeling physically and emotionally. They guide our teams to adjust care, respond quickly to distressing symptoms and support families as well as patients. It reassures us that what we do each day truly improves comfort, dignity and quality of life because we act on what patients and families tell us is important to them.”
This work is also attracting interest beyond east Kent, with other hospices keen to learn from our approach. Ultimately, these insights show the difference your support makes helping people feel more comfortable, more supported and less anxious during an incredibly difficult time.
