Harnessing Data for Hospice Care

Hospices play a vital role in supporting people and families through life’s most difficult moments. To provide that care with compassion and clarity, hospices need the ability to use data with confidence – turning information into insight, and insight into action.

That’s why Corndel and Hospice UK have partnered to create the Hospice Data Academy. This initiative brings together Corndel’s expertise in professional development with Hospice UK’s commitment to sector-wide progress, helping hospices unlock the potential of their data to improve patient care, strengthen services, and support staff.

Through business-relevant programmes, one-to-one coaching, and support from our expert Data Coaches, hospices are building the professional confidence to make data-driven decisions that have a real-world impact – from improving operational efficiency to enhancing the quality of care at the bedside.

This case study shines a light on individual stories from hospices across the country – showing how small steps in data capability can lead to profound changes in care, culture and community.

Emma Liney at Claire House Children's Hospice discovers the power of data

Emma’s experience dramatically transformed her approach to fundraising at Claire House Children’s Hospice, saying: “Before, we never really based our decisions on data at all; it was very much gut instinct.”

Initially seeking to improve her Excel skills, Emma discovered the power of data in shaping effective strategies with Power Bi and Power Query. Her journey showcases the impact of embracing data analytics and the importance of data-driven decision-making in enhancing organisational efficiency. Watch Emma’s professional growth story and the transformative power of data literacy.

Emma is part of Hospice UK’s Data Academy cohort, which provided 96 learners from 64 different hospices with the opportunity to enhance their data skills and knowledge through the Imperial College and Corndel Data-Driven Professional Programme. This was enabled by over £1 million in gifted levy from Corndel’s corporate partners. Notably, 87% of the learners are female, highlighting an essential step towards greater gender representation in data-driven roles.

We spoke with Kevin Traynor, Rennie Grove Peace Hospice

Kevin Traynor, a dedicated data analyst has significantly bolstered his expertise, confidence, and ability to innovate within his organisation. His newfound proficiency has established him as the go-to data expert the formidable “wizard in the corner”. His skills are now integral to driving organisational change through data-driven strategies and are pivotal in empowering teams to identify issues and implement solutions effectively, thereby enhancing the hospice’s overall capability.

Kevin’s engagement with Imperial College’s masterclasses enriched his learning experience, offering him insights into the broader implications of data usage, including the ethical considerations surrounding data and anonymity. These experiences left him invigorated for continuous learning about data analytics.

We spoke with Pippa Brown, Shooting Star Children's Hospice

Pippa Brown, a dynamic Data Coordinator at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, embarked on her data journey motivated by a desire to “elevate our skills,” Her exploration through the Imperial College and Corndel Data-Driven Professional Programme has led to significant skill development, particularly in data visualisation and dashboard creation. Pippa has mastered crafting dashboards that offer accessible, high-level views of monthly progress, catering to colleagues with varying levels of data familiarity. “I think learning how to put together a dashboard that’s kind of accessible to people… has been really beneficial,” she reflects.

Pippa’s newfound respect for data’s role across industries and its financial implications—like the costly impact of data leaks—highlights her recognition of its value and the necessity of data-driven decision-making. “This has solidified how much businesses rely on data,” she notes, appreciating data’s critical importance in steering the future of any organisation. Pippa’s story illustrates the transformative power of data literacy, not just for personal career growth but for driving meaningful change in community-focused services.