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.

These study days are aimed at Registered Nurses and Allied Health Professionals but other healthcare professionals are welcome to attend.

This five day course is held three times over the year (see below for details) and covers:

The Nature of Pain and its Assessment (day 1)
Learning outcomes:

• challenge your current views on pain
• discuss the physical causes of pain
• understand the concept of ‘total pain’
• describe the importance of accurate assessment & tools to enable this

The Pharmacological Management of Pain (day 2)
Learning outcomes:

• understand the principles of drug management in pain control
• describe the application of the analgesic ladder in managing pain
• demonstrate problem-solving skills to enable the selection of appropriate medications to effectively manage pain 
• have an awareness of ethical concerns in pain management

The Multi-Professional Management of Pain (day 3)
Learning outcomes:

• discuss the use of complementary therapies in the management of pain
• understand the role of allied health professionals in pain
• have an awareness of psychological approaches in pain management

Common Symptoms at the End of Life - part 1 (day 4)
Learning outcomes:

• describe the management of difficult symptoms including
  • constipation
  • insomnia
  • confusion & terminal agitation
  • depression
• discuss ethical considerations involved in treating these symptoms at the end of life

Common Symptoms at the End of Life - part 2 (day 5)
Learning outcomes:

• describe the management of difficult symptoms including
  • xerostomia
  • cachexia
  • breathlessness
  • nausea & vomiting
• discuss ethical considerations involved in treating these symptoms at the end of life

Each study day will be held at the Turner Centre, St Catherine's Hospice from 9.30 am - 4.30 pm.  The cost to attend all five days will be £399-00 ~ including handouts, refreshments and lunch. It is also possible to book individual study days at £90 per day.