title: PA19 'closing the gap': a community engagement project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dove House Hospice serves a population of about 600,000 covering Hull and East Riding. About 42% of people in Hull and East Riding die in their usual residence. Dove House Hospice's vision is to provide excellent specialist palliative care and support to patients, their families and carers in the locality. Despite excellent services provided, there was evidence of lack of awareness. A project, using a community engagement approaches, was therefore developed to close this gap.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Raise awareness about death, dying, loss and care; and services provided by Dove House Hospice Improve partnerships between Dove House Hospice and the community. Increase social supports to those who experiences death, dying, loss and caregiving.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Two postcode areas, namely Cottingham and Bransholme, were initially selected for two-week community engagement activities. The key approaches used were: direct engagement with the public, participation in community activities, engagement with local primary health care services and distribution of information leaflets. Evaluation approach: Use of pre and post activities questionnaire and feedback meetings with key community members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Leaflets were distributed to a total of about 18,000 addresses. Immediate result include: Increased donation, increased application for volunteering and increased referrals. Community involvement in end of life care waits to be evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is an on-going project. Early indications are that there has been improved awareness of the hospice services and interest in the hospice's activities. The project has also contributed to the hospice being included in the pathfinder charter community.
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Obita
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolkowski
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cash
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blagojevic
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Briony
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ming
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carrick
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dinning
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Karinda
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Dove House Hospice, UK.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wood