Aintree Broadgreen Royal Liverpool Women’s

The SWAN Service is a team of clinical nurse specialists who support families, relatives and friends through death and subsequent bereavement.

We work collaboratively with host of partners and teams, some of which include coroners court/officers, medical examiners, police, family liaison officers, mortuary staff, organ and tissue donation, Chaplaincy, Palliative Care, Honeysuckle Bereavement Service, Everton in the Community and Liverpool in the Community.

Contact us

Tel: 0151 706 3000

Email: swan@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

More information

When would you refer to SWAN team

  • Specialist bereavement support to families
  • When there has been a sudden or unexpected death.

Who can refer

  • Any member of the clinical team or family member.

 When someone is recognised as dying or has died unexpectedly, the team in the clinical area should implement the SWAN model of care.

The SWAN acronym stands for: Signs, Words, Actions and Needs, and encourages recognition of dying, communication, facilitating what is important to the individual and to ensure the needs of the patient and family are addressed.

This model is used to support and guide the care of patients and their loved ones at the end of life and into bereavement.

A SWAN symbol should be displayed with the consent of those important to the person to ensure dignity is maintained, to alert colleagues to the circumstances and give permission to think outside the box to provide and facilitate individualised care for the deceased patient and their loved ones.

The model also enables colleagues to support individuals with memory making and the offering of mementos and various resources.

Care for the dying/deceased

  • Dying is acknowledged and individual care is planned
  • What matters to the patient and what was/is important
  • Enhanced communication clear understanding
  • Quality, compassionate care.

Care for those important to the patient

  • Enhanced communication well informed and clear understanding of situation
  • Flexibility for visiting and support for overnight stay
  • Drinks and food provision where appropriate  
  • Practical support for concerns around finances and future planning/housing
  • The offering of mementos (hand prints, photos, locks of hair) which can be provided by ward staff.

For everyone

  • Information is consistent
  • Re-enforces that end of life care is everyone’s business
  • Permission to act on individuals wishes
  • Specialist support for ongoing bereavement support
  • Support for clinical teams.

The SWAN team hold bereavement cafés throughout the year at Novotel, Liverpool Paddington Village and Everton in the Community.

Offering an umbrella of support in local communities, raising awareness of help available, supporting those who may feel isolated in their grief to make vital new connections.

SWAN specialist end of life and bereavement care nurses will be present during the cafes to offer support and signpost to services in a confidential, respectful and supportive environment.

Come and join us for a coffee and chat.