• Merryn Gott, Jane Seymour, Christine Ingleton, Clare Gardiner, and Gary Bellamy.
• The University of Auckland, School of Nursing, Auckland, New Zealand. m.gott@auckland.ac.nz
• Palliat Med. 2012 Apr 1; 26 (3): 232-41.

Backgroundthe right for patients of all diagnoses to be in receipt of palliative care from an early point in the diagnosis of a life-limiting condition is now enshrined in policy in a number of countries and increased emphasis is placed upon the role of generalist palliative care. However, little is known as to how this policy is enacted on the ground.Aimto explore understandings of, and perceived roles in relation to, palliative care provision amongst generalist and specialist health care providers in England and New Zealand.Designqualitative data were collected via individual interviews and focus groups.Setting/Participantsparticipants comprised generalist and specialist palliative care providers working in a variety of settings in England (n = 58) and New Zealand (n = 80).Resultsthe following issues with significant implications for this new phase of development for palliative care were identified: (1) difficulties with terminology and perceived roles/responsibilities; (2) problems of integrating palliative care into a generalist workload; (3) challenges in generalist/specialist partnership working; and (4) the potential negative consequences of specialization.Conclusionsthese data indicate that, within England and New Zealand, the policy rhetoric of universal palliative care provision is not being straightforwardly translated into service delivery and individual clinical practice. Further research is required to explore and evaluate different models of organization and service provision that empower 'generalists' to provide palliative care, without resulting in deskilling. Finally, definitional clarity at an academic/policy level is also needed.

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