Research Projects

Through collaboration, our expert teams strive to equip our community, and health and social care partners, with the knowledge and tools they need to ensure that everyone has access to personalised care.

The following page reviews Research Studies led by Dorothy House, Research Studies led by external organisation, Capacity Building and Evaluations. Explore more below.

 

 

Research Studies led by external organisations

OptiCALS: June 2021 (closed to recruitment Sept 2025)

  • Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation

 

Funder: NIHR funded

 

A randomised controlled trial, comparing the use of HighCALS versus standard care for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) MND. Closing to recruitment September 2025.  

Metabolites and at End of Life (METEL): In set up

  • The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
  • NIHR

 

To describe the dying process in people with cancer. A developed urine test that predicts time of death across multiple time ranges from 6 weeks to the last days of life based on these metabolic changes.

Research Evaluating Staff Training Online for Resilience (RESTORE): In set up)

  • The University of Edinburgh
  • NIHR 

 

Well-being randomised controlled trial of online Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) to improve mental wellbeing in staff caring for terminally ill people and their caregivers.

The light in the dark: exploring palliative care patients and carers’ experiences of psychological support: April 2024

  • University of Bath
  • Maria Davies-Edwards

 

The study aims to explore the experiences of patients and their carers of the psychological support through Qualitative interviews and focus groups.

 

Informal Caregiving in Non-Malignant Respiratory Disease at End of Life: December 2024

  • Kathy Rogers 
  • University of the West of England 

 

A primary qualitative study to explore the experiences and roles of informal caregivers for people with Non-Malignant Respiratory Disease at the end of life. (link to poster to take part).

Perspectives on PROMs in Palliative Care for Heart Failure (PROMPT): July 2025

  • University of the West of England
  • Harley Anderson

 

Observational study. The perspectives of patients, carers, clinicians and commissioners on the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in palliative care for heart failure. The aim of this research is to develop a set of recommendations for practice on the choice, administration, and use of PROMs in palliative care for heart failure.  

An Exploration of Hospice Nurses’ Experiences of Working with Dying Patients : May 2025

  • Tom Aplin 
  • University of the West of England

 

This research seeks to explore lived experiences through a psychological lens, aligned with the values of counselling psychology which emphasize subjective meaning, relational depth, and emotional wellbeing. Qualitative Interviews. Poster link available. 

CHELsea II (in data analysis phase)

University of Surrey.

 

To assess whether giving fluids to patients in the last days of via a drip (clinically-assisted hydration / CAH) is effective at preventing them from developing delirium / terminal agitation. Dorothy House were randomised to usual care.

Research Studies led by Dorothy House

Understanding intimacy needs of patients and their partners towards end of life: May 2023

  • Dorothy House

 

Interviews with patients, partners, bereaved partners and hospice healthcare professionals from 7 hospices in England. Data analysis in progress.  

Arthritis at end of life : September 2025

  • Dorothy House & Versus Arthritis

 

To better understand how people living with arthritis may find Palliative Care services helpful to them and their families.

Capacity Building

NIHR Incubator: July 2023

  • LOROS
  • Prof Candy McCabe
  • Prof Christina Faull

 

Deliver and foster activities that stimulate, inspire and support health and social care professionals, non-clinician researchers, and research collaborators to conduct Palliative and End of Life research and pursue research careers. 

 

Visit Incubator website.

Developing a research toolkit: May 2025

  • Claire Prendergast & St Peters Hospice  

 

Funder: NIHR RRDN 

 

An RRDN strategic development funded project in collaboration with St Peters Hospice to create an online toolkit to support Hospices with research development and participation.  

Evaluations

Frailty Report

This report was commissioned by the Community Wellbeing Hub and funded by the Better Care Fund programme to evaluate the impact of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)1 Frailty Service for clients and to understand how effective collaborative working.

 

Download report