Leadership in Compassionate Care: Executive Summary- Enhancing patient care by promoting compassionate practice.

The Leadership in Compassionate Care Programme (LCCP) commenced in 2007 as a three year programme of work. Initial funding was received from a private benefactor and the two organisations involved in the programme (NHS Lothian and Edinburgh Napier University) were required to match this funding. The work of the programme developed beyond the initial funding. A Lead Nurse and four Senior Nurses were appointed to deliver the programme and a wide range of staff from both organisations were actively involved and participated with this team. The impetus for this programme arose from local and National concerns about care focussed on patients and their relatives experiencing a lack of empathy and compassion, acknowledging that it is often small acts of kindness and a human connection, alongside clinical competence that is appreciated by patients and relatives