04: Coaching in Hospitals

In this episode, Dr Natalie Lancer talks to Dr Andrew Marren, Natalie Silverdale and Dr Andrew Parsons. Natalie Silverdale and Dr Andrew Parsons are part of the team behind the pioneering concept of coaching cancer patients at The Fountain Centre, a cancer charity located at St Luke's Cancer Centre at the Royal Surrey Hospital. Dr Andrew Marren researched the ‘therapeutic coaching’ happening at the Fountain Centre for his doctorate. We discuss:

• How did the coaching service at The Fountain Centre get started?
• How does coaching support cancer patients?
• How does coaching fit into other holistic and emotional services offered to patients?
• How is the coaching delivered and in what format?
• How did The Fountain Centre develop a framework of standards and ethics for coaching cancer patients?
• How does the coaches’ learning and development inform the coaching services offered to patients?
• What are the key research findings from the patients’ and coaches’ perspective?
• What does The Fountain Centre look for in volunteer coaches?
• How do supervision and self-care practices support the volunteer coaches?
• How might ‘therapeutic coaching’ fit into existing National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on Cancer Services?

The case study of The Fountain Centre demonstrates how coaching is a service that can be offered in addition to counselling and other forms of support. The impact of this service has been recognised by NHS England who are using the approach to develop National Standards for coaching in cancer. In this conversation, we discuss how as well as improving palliative care for people with cancer, coaching in hospitals may well benefit other patients. Our guests today are:

Dr Andrew Marren undertook his PhD at the University of Portsmouth as a collaborative project with The Fountain Centre cancer charity. The PhD focused on exploring the impact of coaching cancer patients, from both the coaches’ and patients’ perspectives. He previously completed an ILM Level 3 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring and an MSc in Work Psychology. He worked on a coaching project at University of South Wales, exploring the training needs of academic staff. He is currently employed at the University of Winchester as a Lecturer in Psychology and researches coaching in cancer care, advocating for coaching as an emotional support intervention.

Natalie Silverdale has been working in the field of cancer and end of life care for over 25 years. Since 2015, she has worked for The Fountain Centre. She is a qualified coach in the Centre and Head of Research and Development. She has worked extensively in palliative care services, undertaking a n