About

The role of the Hub was endorsed by Ros Moore

Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland 

at the 3rd National Conference on Bereavement in a Healthcare Setting

A HUB is the place where several spokes meet and cross

A HUB is what turns a ring into a wheel and enables it to do work

In 2008 the Scottish Government undertook to bring forward guidance on bereavement care for NHSScotland.  That guidance was issued as a Chief Executive Letter in February 2011 under the title Shaping Bereavement Care.  Following that, the Scottish Government Health Directorates undertook to support health boards in the ongoing implementation of Shaping Bereavement Care by underwriting the establishment of THE SCOTTISH GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT HUB as a national network for those working in the field of loss and grief. 

While Shaping Bereavement Care was developed primarily for the NHS, it seeks to lay a foundation for the development of bereavement care which could (and should) be emulated in other professional groups such as the non-statutory health services, social care services and third sector agencies who work in partnership with the NHS.  The HUB seeks to support staff in all these areas.

The HUB is at the centre of a community of practice, encouraging the sharing of knowledge, ideas and information.  It exists largely in the virtual world of this website and web based communication, but it has a physical home in the Tayside Centre for Organisational Effectiveness, part of NHS Tayside.

At an early meeting, representatives from several health boards and third sector agencies agreed the following Vision Statement: 

The Hub will act as a network of resources for improving the quality of bereavement care throughout NHSScotland and in partner agencies by linking those professionally involved in planning and delivering bereavement care, and through:

·         disseminating news and information

·         promoting high quality education and training

·         affording opportunities for discussion and sharing of best practice,

·         hosting the sharing of resources

·         representing the Scottish bereavement agenda, nationally and internationally

The development of the HUB is led by a convener, and guided by a small core group representing the NHS and partner groups - see Who's Who 

.