Generic palliative care should be provided to all patients (NCPC 2002).  Consequently, nursing staff should be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure effective end of life care is delivered wherever they are employed (End of Life Care Strategy 2008).

These study days are aimed at Registered Nurses and Health Care Assisstants 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:

Person Centred Care at the End of Life (day 1)
Learning outcomes:

• Explain the principles of the End of Life Care Strategy
• Demonstrate how the principles of end of life care apply in your clinical practice
• Recognise the impact of loss & bereavement on the patient, family and carers

Communicating with People at the End of Life (day 2)
Learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of effective communication at the end of life
• Apply the principles of good communication in a range of different situations at the end of life
• Identify challenges to communication and potential solutions

Holistic Assessment & Care Planning at the End of Life (day 3)
Learning outcomes:

• Describe the process of holistic assessment in the context of end of life care
• Recognise the need for ongoing holistic assessment and review
• Demonstrate how the assessment informs care
• Discuss the process of Advance Care Planning

Managing Pain at the End of Life (day 4)
Learning outcomes:

• Discuss the impact of pain on the individual’s physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual well being
• Identify different interventions that can be used to manage pain appropriately
• Demonstrate the importance of accurate, ongoing evaluation of pain management in ensuring effective pain relief

Managing Symptoms at the End of Life (day 5)
Learning outcomes:

• Understand that symptoms have many causes and can be affected by the individual’s perception
• Discuss a range of therapeutic options to manage symptoms, recognising the need to work with others
• Recognise palliative care emergencies & consider appropriate interventions

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.