Foxtrot Theatre

A new scenario for Foxtrot's 2007 season and the most requested workshop on recent tours. Staff may feel intimidated by not only patients or relatives but perhaps by their own colleagues. What are the boudaries between leadership, firm management and bullying? What is the difference between bullying and banter? Are they really 'only joking'? How does our own agenda influence the way we treat others? How can we develop personal strategies to deal with our oppressors and acknowledge and modify our own inappropriate behaviour?

The dilemma so frequently encountered, where the patient's and the carer's agendas are different - but inextricably linked. The patient wants desperately to be cared for and die at home; the carer can't cope any more; and they've been together for forty five years. How do you honestly discuss the options available in your area and cope with the emotional fall out?

Based on the dilemmas that may surround dying: dehydration, inability to eat and pain and discomfort control. What conflicts can there be in the wishes of the patient, relative and staff? This is a topic which envokes strong feelings and opinions amongst staff. The scenario and workshop will not aim to produce an 'answer' but will enable those present to hear everyone's perspectives on this current and immensely difficult issue.

A universal issue in palliative care. How do you tackle the issue of possible or probable death with a patient? Is getting a patient to accept this possibility part of your role? How do you talk about it? Should you talk about it? What strategies are in place to help the patient make that leap? What strategies are in place to help the staff cope with the emotional strain? Perhaps the patient has accepted the inevitable but the carer can't or won't.

A popular story, recognised by so many professionals! Dad is terminally ill and in denial; the daughter who has looked after him for years needs him to make a will; but the estranged sibling arrives and the trouble begins ... Should Dad be allowed to die peacefully at home? Or should he be taken into the hospital he dreads to be re-hydrated? And is he actually getting all his medication? Doubts are cast on the resident grandson. A fascinating 'piggy in the middle' situation for any professional.

The most requested workshop from our evaluations of previous tours. This half-day session is designed to put in place some strategies for developing teamwork. Using hypothetic scenarios and practical group work exercises we will help you to identify how your team can be improved using the suggestions and ideas put forward from the participants with their unique knowledge of their own organisation. This session will be most effective if attended by the full range of hospice staff - from consultants to administrators - and will emphasise the importance that every role plays within the organisation when dealing with the challenges faced in palliative care.

How do we as carers deal with the uniquely emotional side of our work? What do you really feel when asked 'how was your day'? This half-day workshop deals sensitively with caring for the carer. We will raise awareness of coping issues and the consequences of not coping. We will encourage sharing of experiences and strategies to create a personal caring plan, while addressing support mechanisms that could be implemented to help staff.