A pioneering research project is being carried out into dementia care at East Cheshire Hospice.
The 12-month study by academic researcher Dr Alessandro Bosco will provide a preliminary snapshot of care delivered in the region.
The work, undertaken in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Manchester, will develop best practice by also exploring the work of other hospices around the country.
East Cheshire was selected due to its advanced dementia care, including its Hospice @Home service. Results will be made available to health care professionals and the public.
The work has received approval from the Health Research Authority and the Research Ethics Committee.
Dr Bosco said: “The research involves a small sample of up to 10 bereaved carers and 10 clinical hospice staff involved in those cases.
“Hopefully, this will provide a good snapshot of people with dementia who’ve been cared for by the Hospice.”
Dr Bosco has been awarded a fellowship by the National Institute for Health and Care Research until September 2024 to expand the project to other hospices.
 Dr Alessandro Bosco, who is researching dementia care at East Cheshire Hospice.
He said: “The studies will help me explore carers’ experiences and whether barriers in care access could be identified and effectively avoided in the future.
“We’re also exploring what worked really well which can be shared across end-of-life and palliative care services.”
Dr Bosco’s work has the full support of East Cheshire Hospice.
He said: “We start from the current model used by East Cheshire Hospice, thanks to the network already established there and support from Hospice Medical Director, Dr Debbie Alexander; the Clinical Director, Sandra Jones, for recruitment; and Ann Booth and Marianne Dunlop as co-researchers.
“We know that different care models are being used for hospice care in dementia. It  would be helpful to understand the differences in this care across the country and develop a care model which is informed by different examples of best practice already used in these hospice settings.
“I’d like to thank East Cheshire Hospice and Age UK for their full co-operation.”
Dr Alessandro Bosco after his fundraising run.
Dr Bosco completed a 5k run in Battersea Park to raise money for the Hospice. He said: “It was my first attempt at a proper run. I’m committed to fundraising for palliative care having, as a carer myself, experienced the emotional burden of having lost a loved one.”
The Hospice is also involved with another research project by Liverpool University exploring potential gaps in dementia services in the community.