Reducing inequalities in death (Reference: RDF17-R/SOW/LHUSSIER)

In England, approximately half a million people die each year; a number that is set to rise over the next decade. The evidence, alongside the knowledge that the population is ageing and cancer treatment is advancing, suggests that cancer deaths will continue to decrease, and deaths from non-malignant disease will increase in the future. It is therefore increasingly important to ensure equal access to palliative care for all.

Identifying patients with non-malignant diseases who have palliative care needs is challenging for health care professionals. These patients often have relatively uncertain prognoses related to survival and uncertain disease trajectories. However interventions, such as integrated care pathways, have begun to enable the reduction in inequalities in care by identifying, registering and managing an increasing number of palliative patients with non-malignant diseases in primary care.

Taking a specialist palliative care unit as a focus, this PhD will examine the development and applicability of solutions to improve care for patients with non-malignant diseases and thus contribute to reducing inequalities in death. It will build on key research strands undertaken in the department on the management of multimorbidities, palliative care and practice development in the hospice movement.

The research will be qualitative in nature, and will inform the development of practice in this area, ensuring local impact in the first instance, but with promise for national impact.

Based at Northumbria University, this PhD will be conducted in partnership with St Cuthbert’s hospice, Durham.

Eligibility and How to Apply
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.

Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships from all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.