Request for proposals:
Data Analysis to Further Explore Findings of the National End of Life Survey 2023

Overview:

Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) is a national charity that addresses dying, death and bereavement in Ireland. IHF wishes to commission an experienced mixed methods researcher to undertake further data analysis of existing data from an extensive national survey of bereaved family members and friends - the first National End of Life Survey - which asked participants about the care provided to their family member or friend in the last months and days of their life.

Budget: €5,000

Closing date for receipt of proposals: 20th December 2024

About Irish Hospice Foundation

At IHF, our vision is an Ireland where people facing end of life or bereavement, and those who care for them, are provided with the care and support that they need. Our mission is to work towards the best end-of-life and bereavement care for all. Our values are integrity, courage, compassion, respect and dignity.

About the National End of Life Survey

The National End of Life Survey (NELS) is the first nationwide survey to ask bereaved relatives about the care provided to their loved one in the last months and days of their life. The purpose of the survey was to learn from people’s experiences of end-of-life care to improve the services provided both to people who are dying, and to their loved ones.

A detailed report of the findings from the survey has already been produced by the National Care Experience Programme, which is a joint initiative by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health. The findings of this national survey provide valuable information on the care provided to people using services, and their families at end of life. The existing findings acknowledge what is working well and identify areas where improvements are needed.

IHF provided significant financial support for NELS and played a role in developing and publicising the survey. We now wish to further explore the wealth of information in the NELS to provide a more detailed picture of the experiences of end-of-life care and bereavement support for people in Ireland to inform our work programmes and advocate for policy change.

The survey was completed by completed by 4,570 bereaved relatives and friends of people who died between September and December 2022. The questionnaire contained 110 questions which were a mix of quantitative and qualitive.

Objectives

The objectives for this data analysis project are to:

1. Work closely with the IHF Research Team to identify the further themes and key questions which could be answered from this dataset, aligned to areas of strategic priority for IHF.
2. Explore the demographics of both the deceased and bereaved person according to key themes to extrapolate findings and correlations between them.
3. Interpret and present the findings from the key questions and themes agreed.

Approach

IHF will have a small research team to support the analysis of these findings. Working closely with this team we envisage that the approach would encompass a number of key components:

• Review (key themes)
  • Together with the IHF research team review the NELS survey data and discuss prospective themes that could emerge from the findings, aligned with key areas of interest for IHF. Advise on the feasibility of analysing these themes from a methodological and statistical perspective.
• Analysis
  • Utilise data analysis software (this must be provided by host organisation, IHF does not have access to this software) to identify correlations and trends from the survey data that align with the designated areas of interest.
  • Conduct thematic analysis of the qualitative data, in the form of free text responses to survey questions, aligned to areas of IHF strategic interest.
  • Conduct detailed statistical analyses on key variables of interest.
• Write up
  • Provide IHF with data in a format that supports the narrative write up of the findings, for example tables, graphs, charts. IHF will lead on the narrative write up of the findings and design of the final report.
  • Provide guidance and timely responses to IHF-generated queries relating to interpretation of the data.
  • It is anticipated the findings from this project will provide further evidence to support the implementation of recommendations made in the National Adult Palliative Care Policy.

Timeframe

• The closing date for receipt of tender proposals is 20th December 2024
• Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 3rd January 2025
• Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held the week commencing 6th January 2025

Following this an agreed start / completion date will be confirmed with the successful candidate.

Deliverables

1. Data analysis of quantitative and qualitative survey data to answer research questions aligned to the key themes of interest.
2. Attend and contribute to regular update meetings with IHF Research Team.
3. Presentation of all findings to the IHF Research Team in an appropriate summarised format (for example tables, charts, graphs).
4. Final technical report covering background, methodology used, and findings from the data analysis undertaken.

Tender proposals must include:

• Process/timetable listing key milestones (for reporting progress on the key stages of development) and proposed dates for meeting these
• Methodology to be used – including which data analysis methods and tools will be used
• Description of relevant expertise and prior experience (including team members, if relevant)
• Detailed budget breakdown, including staff time and costs
• Breakdown of time allocation
• Identification of any conflicts of interest
• Referees: contact details must be supplied for two referees, that IHF can contact who have engaged with you for similar/ related work and two examples of similar work carried out

Budget

The budget for this work will be a maximum of €5,000 and must include VAT and other associated expenses.

Assessment criteria

• **Approach 40%
  **Particular consideration will be given to the timeline for the completion of the work
• Experience 40%
• Costing 20%

For further information

Please contact the Research Team – research@hospicefoundation.ie or Neil Fullerton, Research & Policy Officer, on 01 679 3196 for further information or if you have any queries in relation to this tender proposal.

Submitting a tender proposal

To submit a proposal to undertake this work please email the Research Team with your proposal attached – research@hospicefoundation.ie by 20th December 2024.