North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are calling for volunteers to take part in a national bereavement research project.
The death of a family member or friend is never easy. With a grieving process that can take many forms and can last for months, if not years.
Bereavement research project
We are part of a nationwide research project exploring how COVID-19 has affected grieving friends and relatives. From visiting restrictions to not being able to see friends socially to talk about their loss.
Dr Donna Wakefield, consultant in palliative medicine
Hello my name is Donna Wakefield and I’m palliative medicine consultant here at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
Title card: Dr Donna Wakefield, consultant in palliative medicine
I’m here today to ask for your help with sharing and taking part in the national study we’re doing on bereavement.
Title card: covidbereavement.com
The death of a family member a close friend can be really hard at any time but a bereavement is likely to be made even more difficult during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Title card: Bereavement is never easy and it can be even harder now during the pandemic
I have recently been talking to relatives who have described multiple factors that have had a big impact on them such as infection control measures, having reduced access to visiting their relatives in care homes or hospital, the use of personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks when with loved ones.
Then after the death social restrictions leading to people not being able to be together and have their usual support network such as friends and family to turn to.
Title card: We need your help. We’re part of a nationwide research project to learn how Covid-19 has impacted on bereavement
Although we are hearing these stories anecdotally all the time there is still lots of unanswered questions. So we’re now conducting a really important national study and that’s to give a voice to anyone who’s been bereaved during in this period to try to learn more about the experience of grief, what support is needed and consider how bereavement support services might be able to meet these needs.
If you’ve been bereaved from any cause not just Covid-19, then please consider completing our survey this can be found at www.covidbereavement.com this survey will be live until the endof December.
Title card: To make sure the needs of bereaved people are met
Thank you to everyone who’s already completed the survey we’ve already had over 100 responses so far and we’re really keen to represent the diversity of experiences across the UK.
Title card: We thank those who have taken part and encourage others to take part and we want to hear from all communities www.covidbereavement.com
In different communities so far not many men or people from ethnic minority communities have completed the survey and we would love to change that.
Title card: Your views could make a real difference
Please help us spread the word amongst your colleagues’ families and friends. If they feel able to share their experience that could really make a difference.
Thank you
Donna Wakefield, consultant in palliative medicine, is a member of the research team led by Cardiff nad Bristol university.
This national study is to give a voice to those bereaved during the pandemic. We know this won’t be easy. Asking people to complete an online survey about their views and experiences is going to be a difficult experience.
However, their details will remain confidential and their views will help improve bereavement support throughout the country.
Donna Wakefield, consultant in palliative medicine
Donna said: “I have recently talked to relatives who have described factors which have had an impact on them. This includes infection control measures reduceing visiting access to their relatives in hospital or care homes.
“Social restrictions after death have resulted in the limitations of support networks including professional advice.
“Although we’re hearing these stories anecdotally, there are still many unanswered questions.
“I’d like to thank everyone who takes part for their bravery in talking about a personal issue.”
Take part in the survey