This PGCert is designed to make palliative and end-of-life care real, meaningful and accessible for all frontline clinical staff. The programme is suitable for nurses (community, hospital, nursing home, hospice), health and social care practitioners, allied health professionals, paramedics and doctors (GPs, specialist doctors and doctors in training). You will gain enhanced knowledge, confidence and competence in assessing the palliative and end-of-life care needs of patients and their families. Individual disease groups will be analysed and the trajectory of dying assessed, looking for similarities and differences and seeing how these might be managed. In addition to this, you will learn how to manage symptoms and address concerns arising across the four domains of holistic care (physical, psychological, spiritual and social). Ethical and legal aspects of care will also be considered.

What will I study?

The programmes introduces you to the philosophy and principles of palliative care, assessment and symptom management.

You will study the trajectories of end-of-life care in a variety of diseases and conditions, examine holistic care from a physical, psychological, spiritual and social perspective, and gain skills and knowledge in both supporting family carers and providing bereavement support.

In addition to this, you will focus on the delivery of palliative care through enhanced communication skills, advance care planning and the management of complex medicines.

What are my career prospects?

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will have the skills and knowledge required to provide effective support to patients, their families and other health professionals in managing end-of-life care.

The course is designed to enhance your employability through developing your critical care skills and leadership qualities and encouraging you to explore new ways of working within health and social settings.

You will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge across disciplines, being both attuned to cultural diversity and aware of your professional responsibilities and limitations.