NICE guidelines (2004) and the End of Life Care Strategy (2008) call for the provision of appropriate pain and symptom management for all patients at the end of life.  The relief of pain and other symptoms significantly enhances quality of life.

This course has been awarded ReQ, which means that it has been assessed by the Universities of Surrey and Brighton and recognised for its educational quality.  Follow this link for further details

A series of  five study days looking at:

The Nature of Pain and its Assessment (day 1)
22nd April 2010

• challenging your current views on pain
• discussing the physical causes of pain
• understanding the concept of ‘total pain’
• describing the importance of accurate assessment & tools to enable this

The Pharmacological Management of Pain (day 2)
6th May 2010

• describing the application of the analgesic ladder in managing pain
• demonstrating problem-solving skills to enable the selection of appropriate medications to effectively manage pain 
• understanding the principles of drug management in pain control
• having an awareness of ethical issues in pain management

The Multi-Professional Management of Pain (day 3)
20th May 2010

• discussing the use of complementary therapies in the management of pain
• understanding the role of allied health professionals in pain
• having an awareness of psychological approaches in pain management

Complex Symptoms at the End of Life (day 4)
10th June 2010

• describing the management of difficult symptoms including
  • breathlessness
  • confusion & terminal agitation
  • nausea & vomiting
  • depression
  • cachexia
• discussing ethical considerations involved in treating these symptoms at the end of life

Palliative Care Emergencies (day 5)
24th June 2010

• recognising causes and features of emergencies in palliative care
• explaining appropriate interventions for each issue
• identifying the necessity for an urgent response in each situation
• identifying ethical dilemmas involved in such complex clinical decision making

Each day runs from  9.30am to 4.30pm at St Catherine’s Education Centre.

Each 5 day course costs £350-00 ~ includes handouts, refreshments and lunch ~ however,  it is possible to book individual study days at £75-00 per day.