CARE Event Type: HELP for Care Homes

One day Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care for Homecare workers

Providing the essential building blocks to support people at the end of life and their families

Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Nurse Consultant Development Programme

A one-day training day to increase the confidence and skills of homecare workers caring for people who are approaching the end of life and their families. By attending the training, carers will gain an understanding of:

  • What is palliative and end-of-life care? Dispelling myths
  • Sensitive communication and working with informal carers
  • Maximising the potential of the person you are supporting
  • Recognising and responding to common symptoms 
  • Recognising dying and care in the last days of life
  • Lone working, self-care and reflective practice

St Christopher’s are really pleased to be putting into practice recommendations for palliative and end-of-life training for homecare workers following an extensive study of the first-hand experiences of homecare workers, managers, people receiving care and their family members, health and social practitioners and commissioners.

We are looking to partner with homecare agencies who can send up to 5 team members on our first iteration of this training on Wednesday 11th November with the ask that the attendees also take part in evaluation of the training so we can understand how the training has impacted on practice. 

Attendees will receive refreshments, lunch, a tour of the hospice, a certificate of completion and resources to support their ongoing practice.

We really hope you can join us.

Managers, Carers and Senior Carers at Homecare agencies.

We encourage up to 5 attendees from each agency to maximise the impact.

Gill Early

Gill started her career in a Croydon nursing home at the age of 16 years old. She trained as a nurse, graduating as a Registered General Nurse in 1986.
Read More Gill Early

Additional tutors may present certain sessions on the day.

Eating and Drinking Towards The End of Life Workshop

Nurse and patient

A practical, interactive workshop for healthcare assistants and professionals who support people approaching the end of life.

During this workshop we will explore what to do when a person’s ability and desire to eat and drink changes, and share practical strategies for you to incorporate into your work.

This two-hour workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

As well as sharing practical strategies to support comfort, choice and enjoyment around food and drink, we will also look at person-centred approaches to managing risk of aspiration and choking at the end of life, as well as ways to support patients and their families through these changes.

Using real-life scenarios, the workshop will provide practical guidance, discussion, and ideas that can be applied in everyday practice. This will include exploring common challenges such as how to support individuals with cognitive impairments, like dementia, who may experience fluctuating swallowing difficulties.

After this workshop you will:

  • Know the principles of eating and drinking and changes towards the end of life
  • Understand how to support families when eating and drinking becomes difficult for someone who is approaching the end of life
  • Be able to apply practical strategies that support eating and drinking towards the end of life
  • Be able to evaluate products and resources to support comfort and enjoyment of eating and drinking at the end of life

The course is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, Care Home Managers and other allied health professionals 

Isla Jones

Isla Jones has worked at St Christopher’s hospice as a speech and language therapist since 2020 and prior to this has over 15 years experience working as a speech and language therapist with adults with communication and swallowing difficulties primarily in the acute setting. 
Read full profile Isla Jones

Advance Care Planning and the Universal Care Plan

This on demand module is designed for health and social care professionals who want to build their understanding of Advance Care Plans and the Universal Care Plan for London.

This module is FREE for South East London and Croydon professionals.

Register here

What will I learn?

  • What advance care planning is and why it is important
  • The different approaches to advance care planning, including the Universal Care Plan for London.
  • Common topics covered in an advanced care plan
  • Common misconceptions around advance care planning

Who is it for?

This on demand module is for all health and social care professionals wanting to know or needing to refresh their knowledge about advance care planning.

What will the course look like?

After being introduced to the main topics through a number of active learning activities, learners will have a chance to practice with two interactive scenarios. A pre and post reflection activity will help learners to identify areas of need and progress. 

Palliative Care Emergencies

This on demand module is designed to raise awareness of palliative care emergencies, equipping healthcare professionals to act quickly and appropriately. 

This module is FREE for South East London and Croydon professionals.

Register here

What will I learn?

  • What palliative care emergencies are and how they differ from the natural process of dying
  • The importance of anticipating palliative care emergencies
  • The risk factors, signs and symptoms and treatment options for seven emergency conditions

Who is it for?

This on demand module is for all health and social care professionals wanting to know or needing to refresh their knowledge about palliative care emergencies.

What will the course look like?

After learning about what palliative care emergencies are, and the key features of seven common emergencies, you will have the opportunity to put what you have learnt into practice in a number of scenarios.

The materials will help you to think first about what you already know, so you can then build on that knowledge, as this is shown to improve learning. 

Universal Care Plan (UCP) Training for Croydon Care Homes

We are delighted to introduce the Universal Care Plan (UCP) training plan, a comprehensive initiative designed to support Care Homes in delivering consistent, person-centred care. This programme takes a staged approach to ensure that training is practical, sustainable, and embedded in daily practice.

This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting Care Homes in delivering excellent care through collaboration and shared learning.

Join us as we work together to make a lasting impact on the quality of care provided to residents.

In Year One, the focus is on building strong foundations with:

  • In-person training for Care Home Managers, providing them with the tools to lead the implementation of UCPs.
  • Online training for staff who will become UCP Champions, equipping them with the skills to facilitate Advance Care Planning conversations and promote the value of UCPs.
  • Local training sessions hosted by Lead Care Homes in Purley, Norwood, South Croydon, and Kenley, inviting neighbouring Care Homes to share and learn from UCP-based practices.

In Year Two, the programme continues to develop with:

  • On-site support from St Christopher’s clinical team, working directly with UCP Champions in Croydon Care Homes.
  • Online training for new Champions and refresher sessions for existing ones, ensuring skills remain sharp and effective.

UCP Training for Registered Managers (in-person at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham, London)

Training for UCP Champions (online)

More dates to be announced

If your Care Home is outside of Croydon but you are interested in this opportunity, please email education@stchristophers.org.uk

All Care Home staff in Croydon.

Gill Early

Gill started her career in a Croydon nursing home at the age of 16 years old. She trained as a nurse, graduating as a Registered General Nurse in 1986.
Read More Gill Early

By the end of the UCP training programme, you will be able to:

  1. Define the principles, benefits, and common misconceptions of Advance Care Planning (ACP) and Universal Care Plans (UCPs).
  2. Describe challenges and issues related to ACP implementation in the context of UCPs, including addressing sensitive topics with families and residents.
  3. Demonstrate effective skills for conducting difficult, sensitive, and challenging conversations about end-of-life care with residents and their families.
  4. Record and share ACPs by gathering resident information, wishes, and preferences, ensuring accurate and effective use of the UCP system.
  5. Create appropriate responses to complex scenarios, such as managing expectations, addressing cultural considerations, supporting residents with dementia, and handling emergency situations.
  6. Assess personal strategies for self-care, recognising the emotional demands of engaging in sensitive conversations and supporting end-of-life care.

These outcomes aim to empower care home staff to confidently use the UCP system, with the ability to deliver compassionate, person-centred care while enhancing collaboration and communication within your teams and with residents’ families.

Holistic Palliative Care Assessment

This module is designed to introduce you to holistic assessment in palliative care. You will learn what it is and why it is so important in a palliative care context. You will also explore the four domains of well-being (physical, socio-economic, psychological and spiritual) to understand the kinds of challenges people may be facing in these areas. Throughout the module, you will be asked to question your existing knowledge to deepen the learning experience.

This module is free for South East London and Croydon professionals

Register here

What will I learn?

  • Why holistic assessment is an integral component of palliative care
  • Basic principles of holistic assessment
  • The constituent parts of a holistic assessment     
    • Physical assessment
    • Social and occupational needs
    • Psychological well-being
    • Spiritual well-being and life goals

Who is it for?

All health and social care professionals wanting to know more about holistic palliative care assessment.

What will the course look like?

This on-demand module introduces health and social care professionals to the basic concepts of holistic palliative care assessment. Throughout the module, the tasks will encourage you to be an active participant to strengthen the learning experience. A certificate of completion will be awarded on successful completion of a final assessment.

Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care

Providing the essential building blocks to support patients and their families at the end of life

Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Nurse Consultant Development Programme

Join us for a one day course, which provides health and social care professionals working in any setting with an introduction to the key principles and fundamental skills in Palliative and End of Life Care.  

What will the course look like? 

By attending this course, you will have the opportunity to discuss, evaluate and increase your knowledge, skills and confidence in end of life care.  

Our course embraces a multidisciplinary approach to support a truly holistic response to caring for people approaching the end of life. 

Our trainers bring together expertise from a range of professional backgrounds. While we acknowledge and speak directly to the unique contributions of individual professions during our sessions, we remain grounded in the core value of effective Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) working. 

The diagram below highlights the five key principles that form the foundation of our course: 

A diagram of the Five Principles

This course is for all professionals working in the health and social care sector who have limited knowledge of, or wish to refresh their understanding of palliative and end of life care. It is suitable for staff across a wide range of settings, including Care Homes, domiciliary care and may also be relevant for those working in primary care, social work, or those new to working in hospices.   

You will understand the difference between palliative care and end of life care and dying (including key definitions). You will be able to explain key terminology and understand the changing face of death and dying with an aging population. You will develop an awareness of personhood and person-centred practice. 

You will understand the importance of key communication skills and how to apply these to common difficult questions from patients and family. You will understand how to manage and support patients and family who are upset or angry as well as considering conversations related to assisted dying. 

What matters to you? A central question to ensure we are person centred in future care planning. We will look at the basic outline of planning ahead and what it involves, including how we document future care planning. We will use scenarios to explore key terms and aspects related to Advance care plans. 

You will understand the importance of maintaining activity and function through deterioration. You will be able to employ basic exercises to maintain function and describe the importance of understanding “What Matters” to each person.  

You will understand and recognise key features of normal dying. You will be able to increase awareness and provision of holistic care at the end of life. You gain an awareness of the five priorities of care of a dying person, and their loved ones and how to relate these to practice.   

You will understand ways of reflecting, including debriefing. You will be aware of wider support such as the NHS guidelines on self-care. 

Gill Early

Gill started her career in a Croydon nursing home at the age of 16 years old. She trained as a nurse, graduating as a Registered General Nurse in 1986.
Read More Gill Early

Additional tutors may present certain sessions on the day.

End of Life Scenarios Skills Workshop

Scenario-based training to build confidence in communicating and managing a range of situations that may occur in the last days of life.

CPD accreditation logo

Participants will be able to practice skills such as assessment, decision making at the end of life and communicating with relatives. This workshop aims to provide a safe space, allowing professionals to experience what it might be like to care for someone at the end of life, encouraging them to feel more confident to do this in their place of work.

We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD Accreditation.

During this workshop you will:

  • Feel more confident to care for someone at the end of life
  • Be able to discuss the communication skills needed to work with this patient group
  • Be able to discuss cultural differences with regards to end of life care

This workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

Who is it for?

The course is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, Care Home Managers and other allied health professionals looking to refresh their knowledge about end of life care.

Kim Hydes

Kim is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Christopher’s Hospice, caring and supporting individuals and their families who are at end of life in the Bromley community area. She has recently joined the Professional Learning team at St Christopher’s CARE in a seconded role as a visiting lecturer alongside her community role. She will be facilitating the ECHOs for Bromley and Croydon mental health and learning disability care homes plus the Croydon and Lambeth care homes. She will also be teaching on a range of our skills workshops on offer. Kim has worked as a palliative care nurse in the…
Read full profile Kim Hydes

Sensitive Conversations

This module will give you the opportunity to reflect on your current practice and consider ways to approach the challenges that these conversations bring. 

This module is FREE for South East London and Croydon professionals.

Register here

What will I learn?

  • The basics of good communication                      
  • Challenges of having sensitive conversations 
  • Learning from the past – understanding what patients want
  • Recognising the skills required for sensitive conversation             

Who is it for?

All health and social care professionals wanting to know more about sensitive conversations.

What will the course look like?

This on-demand module introduces health and social care professionals to holding sensitive conversations with confidence. Throughout the module, the tasks will encourage you to be an active participant to strengthen the learning experience. A certificate of completion will be awarded on successful completion of a final assessment.

Introduction to the Principles of Palliative Care

This module is FREE for South East London and Croydon professionals

Register here

What will I learn?

  • The definition of palliative care and its key concepts;
  • the history and development of modern palliative care;
  • the potential future challenges and changes in the field of palliative and end of life care.

Who is it for?

All health and social care professionals wanting to know more about the principles of palliative care.

What will the course look like?

This on-demand module introduces health and social care professionals to the principles of palliative care. Throughout the module, the tasks will encourage you to be an active participant to strengthen the learning experience. A certificate of completion will be awarded on successful completion of a final assessment.

Community of Practice for Activity Coordinators & Wellbeing teams

Community of Practice for for Activity Coordinators HELP Care Home Partners

Come and join us for our Community of Practice, a place to learn and grow together, developing new skills through evidenced-based education, equipping you in your practice to help improve the quality of the life of your residents.

We look forward to seeing you at St Christopher’s CARE soon!

If you would like to become a Care Home Learning Partner and benefit from places on other training as well as this community please email us at education@stchristophers.org.uk

Next session: Thursday 5th November 2 – 4pm

Welcome to our Community of Practice for Activity Coordinators and Wellbeing practitioners. In this Community you will have the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals whose roles are all about enhancing the quality of life of the residents you work with.

We will meet four times over the year and explore topics such as goal setting, supporting people with dementia and the importance of maximising physical and mental potential.

As a community you will be able to shape the topics we cover, and receive knowledge and support. There is plenty of opportunity for networking, sharing ideas and problem solving together.

What you will learn will be shaped by the community giving you the opportunity to tailor the learning to meet your needs but we anticipate exploring

  • How we can support residents to keep moving
  • How we can support people with dementia to participate in activities
  • How it feels and how we can support ourselves, residents and other staff members when a resident dies

Who is it for?

This community is for anyone working as an Activity Coordinator, Wellbeing Practitioner or similar roles within a care home or other setting.

Care Home Learning Partners are entitled to free educational care home initiatives run by St Christopher’s.

Find out more about becoming a Care Home Learning Partner

Lizzy Jenkins

Lizzy has been an Occupational Therapist at St Christopher’s since 2021, with experience working across the inpatient unit and outpatients. Lizzy also works one day a week as a learning facilitator in the Professional Learning team. She chose to specialise in oncology and palliative care 10 years ago and has worked in a specialist oncology hospital, as well as several hospices in that time. Lizzy is passionate about supporting people to live well until they die.
Read full profile Lizzy Jenkins

Fungating Wound Care Management Workshop

CPD accreditation logo

Palliative wounds can cause serious physical, psychological and social pain.

This workshop is to enhance nurses’ knowledge and clinical skills in the holistic management of fungating wounds to improve patient comfort and quality of life.

We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD accreditation.

Outline

Palliative wounds can cause serious physical, psychological and social pain.

This workshop is designed to enhance nurses’ knowledge and clinical skills in the holistic management of fungating wounds by understanding their underlying causes, selecting appropriate dressings, and implementing strategies to alleviate physical and psychological symptoms, thereby improving patient comfort and quality of life.

Taking place at St Christopher’s CARE, our expert nursing team will provide small groups of learners with a thorough introduction to the principles and practice of the complex and challenging issue of holistic wound management.

This two-hour skills workshop will include a theoretical presentation, case studies and time for a Q&A, as well as provide learners with everything they need to create an effective and holistic wound management care plan. Our expert tutors will also support you with ways of identifying common symptoms and the practicalities of fungating wound management.

What will I learn?

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

  • Describe the cause of fungating wounds and focus of care
  • Determine the properties and function of some available dressings
  • Select measures to mitigate the main physical and psychological symptoms associated with these wounds

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

    Who is it for?

    This workshop is suitable for nurses and nursing associates.

    Claire Roberts

    I have previously worked in General Medicine and General Oncology. It was when I worked on a Breast Oncology Unit that my interest in wound management developed. We had patients undergoing surgery and also medical patients that presented with breast wounds due to their cancer. I had the opportunity to complete a course in tissue viability. When I came to work at the hospice I was fortunate enough to meet Dame Cicely Saunders and was inspired by her generosity of spirit. I enjoy Palliative Care Nursing focusing on symptom control which also includes palliative wound care.
    Read full profile Claire Roberts

    Skills for Care Registered Managers Network Meeting

    Skills for Care Registered Managers Network Meeting

    In conjunction with Skills for Care, these meetings are held three times a year for teaching on specific topics and a Skills for Care update. Open to all Care Home Managers.

    These Registered Managers Network meetings are in conjunction with Skills for Care and are available to all care homes. We are looking forward to welcoming you. These will take place 10am – 12.30pm at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham. Lunch will be provided after the meeting.

    The next meeting is on Thursday 8th October 2026 and the topic will be Managing Falls.

    Book your space soon.

    Syringe Drivers – Introduction to Syringe Drivers Workshop

    Introduction to Syringe Drivers Workshop
    CPD logo

    An introductory workshop covering the theory and practice of using syringe drivers. A practical workshop with hands on practice setting up a syringe driver.

    We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD accreditation.

    Outline

    For a district nurse or nurse working in a hospice, using a syringe driver can be second nature. Health and social care professionals working in other settings are likely to be much less familiar with this piece of equipment that is such a critical part of palliative and end of life care.

    Our expert nursing team will provide learners of all levels with a thorough introduction to the principles and practice of syringe drivers. As well as gaining confidence in using the equipment, attendees will also learn about some of the most commonly used drugs. The course tutors will also provide solutions to some of the most frequent problems that can occur when using a syringe driver, providing learners with the skills to troubleshoot.

    What will I learn?

    • Gain increased understanding of the indications for use of a syringe drivers
    • Improve knowledge of the most commonly used drugs administered by syringe driver
    • Become confident with the procedure of setting up a syringe driver and troubleshooting

    This workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

    Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

    Who is it for?

    The course is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Care Home Managers, Pharmacists and Doctors looking either to upskill or refresh themselves in the use of syringe drivers.

    Kim Hydes

    Kim is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Christopher’s Hospice, caring and supporting individuals and their families who are at end of life in the Bromley community area. She has recently joined the Professional Learning team at St Christopher’s CARE in a seconded role as a visiting lecturer alongside her community role. She will be facilitating the ECHOs for Bromley and Croydon mental health and learning disability care homes plus the Croydon and Lambeth care homes. She will also be teaching on a range of our skills workshops on offer. Kim has worked as a palliative care nurse in the…
    Read full profile Kim Hydes

    Falls Clinic Skills Workshops 

    Falls Clinic Skills Workshop

    Welcome to our Falls Clinic where we will explore how we can support people – from falls assessments through to how it impacts them as an individual, and how we can physically support them to be more active and reduce their risk.

    We recommend attending both workshops.

    Workshop 1: Introduction to falls risks

    The contributing factors that might increase someone’s risk of falls

    One in three people aged over 65 fall at least once a year with that risk increasing significantly as people age. In this first of two sessions we explore that factors that can contribute to someone being at risk of falls. This is a highly experiential session, giving you the opportunity to experience challenges, that people you support may face, in a safe supportive environment.  We will also explore the impact that falls have on someone’s sense of self and their identity.

    This can be used as a stand alone workshop or to optimise a holistic approach to falls assessments and management please attend both workshops.

    What will I learn?

    Following this workshop you will understand the risks to be considered when completing a falls assessment. You will have had some experience of what it might feel like to be at risk of falls. You will learn how fear of falling can undermine who we are as an individual and challenge you to think differently about how you interact and communicate so that you can enhance a sense of self.

    Workshop 2: Introduction to falls prevention

    The first step to falls prevention is understanding the risks and so we would encourage you to also attend the morning session as part of these workshops.

    In this sessions we will look at optimising someone’s physical function to enhance a sense of self and reduce risk of falls. We will look at and practice the practical skills that you can use to support people around mobility and exercise as a non specialist professional. We will focus on how we can support people to be the best that they can be and hold them and what matters to them at the centre of what we do. We will explore risk and the concept of ‘risk confidence’.

    What will I learn?

    The theory behind the importance of exercise and activity, exploring motivation and goal setting will all be covered in this session. We will practice completing some exercises appropriate to people with all different levels of mobility. We will also apply the learning to case studies and bring together activities from both workshops to change practice. 

    These workshops are for anyone who has an interest in falls or works within a setting supporting people who may be at risk of falls.

    This will be relevant to you if you are a nurse, health care assistant or allied health professional.

    Lizzy Jenkins

    Lizzy has been an Occupational Therapist at St Christopher’s since 2021, with experience working across the inpatient unit and outpatients. Lizzy also works one day a week as a learning facilitator in the Professional Learning team. She chose to specialise in oncology and palliative care 10 years ago and has worked in a specialist oncology hospital, as well as several hospices in that time. Lizzy is passionate about supporting people to live well until they die.
    Read full profile Lizzy Jenkins

    Introduction to Communication Skills Workshop for Health & Social Care Staff

    A photograph of two ladies, sitting down and holding hands. The ladies are looking at each other and smiling. The photograph demonstrates strong and empathetic communication.

    Join this interactive workshop at St Christopher’s CARE that explores the importance of good communication and challenges we might face when doing this.

    The session will allow participants to practice their communication skills in role-play scenarios. We expect learners who attend this session to fully participate in the activities. Full support will be provided to create safety through these activities.

    CPD accreditation logo

    You will build confidence in holding empathic and open conversations in various situations.

    We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD accreditation.

    What will I learn?

    Following this workshop you will be able to

    • Identify the components of good quality communication
    • Respond to conversation enablers openly and with empathy
    • Demonstrate empathic and open conversation with a peer

    This workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

    Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

    Who is it for?

    This workshop is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, support workers, Care Home Managers and other allied health professionals.

    It is recommended that you have attended one of our Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care courses prior to booking this session – please contact education@stchristophers.org.uk for further information or visit here.

    Kim Hydes

    Kim is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Christopher’s Hospice, caring and supporting individuals and their families who are at end of life in the Bromley community area. She has recently joined the Professional Learning team at St Christopher’s CARE in a seconded role as a visiting lecturer alongside her community role. She will be facilitating the ECHOs for Bromley and Croydon mental health and learning disability care homes plus the Croydon and Lambeth care homes. She will also be teaching on a range of our skills workshops on offer. Kim has worked as a palliative care nurse in the…
    Read full profile Kim Hydes

    Gail Preston

    Gail has been a physiotherapist for over 20 years, initially specialising in Neuro Rehab before moving into Palliative Care. Over the last 15 years she has developed and evaluated services and worked in a variety of teams within the Hospice. Having developed her skills in teaching she found a role within the Education Team and furthering her knowledge with a Post Graduate Qualification in education then embarked on the role of Head of Professional Learning at St Christopher’s Hospice. She is passionate about development and continued learning. She is also part of ACPOPC representing the voice of palliative care physiotherapists…
    Read full profile Gail Preston

    Learning Disabilities and Palliative Care Skills Workshop

    How can we improve palliative care for people with learning disabilities?

    This is an interactive session which aims to improve participants understanding of learning disabilities and how we can meet the needs of this patient group towards the end of life. It will include case studies and opportunity for Q&A.

    Topics will include: supporting communication, decisions around hospital admissions, providing person-centred care and symptom assessment for this patient group. By the end of this session you will have improved confidence in supporting individuals with learning disabilities towards the end of life.

    We are delighted to confirm this workshop now has CPD Accreditation.

    Two people talking
    CPD accreditation logo

    What will I learn?

    This workshop will take place at St Christopher’s CARE in Sydenham.

    Topics will include:

    • Advance care planning
    • Symptom assessment for people with learning disabilities
    • Communicating about death and illness.
    • Decisions around hospital admissions

    Who is it for?

    This workshop is appropriate for all Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, support workers, Care Home Managers and other allied health professionals looking to refresh their knowledge about learning disabilities in palliative care.

    Phoebe Mooney 

    Phoebe is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for people with learning disabilities working in palliative care at St Christopher’s Hospice. She has always had a special interest in palliative care and prior to her current role Phoebe worked as an advance care planning nurse for adults with LD in East London. Phoebe also has experience of working as a community learning disability nurse in both physical and mental health. Phoebe is passionate about improving the support people with learning disabilities receive at the end of life and enjoys teaching and raising awareness about this topic.
    Read full profile Phoebe Mooney 

    Kim Hydes

    Kim is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at St Christopher’s Hospice, caring and supporting individuals and their families who are at end of life in the Bromley community area. She has recently joined the Professional Learning team at St Christopher’s CARE in a seconded role as a visiting lecturer alongside her community role. She will be facilitating the ECHOs for Bromley and Croydon mental health and learning disability care homes plus the Croydon and Lambeth care homes. She will also be teaching on a range of our skills workshops on offer. Kim has worked as a palliative care nurse in the…
    Read full profile Kim Hydes

    Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care – Intermediate Three Day Course for Registered Professionals  

    Two female nurses talking to each other

    This three-day course provides nurses and Allied Health Professionals working in any setting with the essential building blocks to support patients and their families at the end of life.

    What will the course look like? 

    This three-day foundational course provides health and social care professionals who are registered with a professional body with the essential building blocks to support patients and families at the end of life. This includes a range of settings including: primary care, acute hospitals, the community and care homes.  

    Our course embraces a multidisciplinary approach to support a truly holistic response to caring for people approaching the end of life. 

    Our trainers bring together expertise from a range of professional backgrounds. While we acknowledge and speak directly to the unique contributions of individual professions during our sessions, we remain grounded in the core value of effective Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) working. 

    The diagram below highlights the five key principles that form the foundation of our course: 

    A diagram of the Five Principles
    (diagram adapted from Richardson and Cooper, 2024)

    This course is for registered professionals working in the health and social care sector (for example a nurse, Allied Health Professional, doctor, registered manager of a care home etc).

    This course enables you to build on foundational knowledge of how to provide person-centred, high quality end of life care. You are likely to work in an environment where you will encounter individuals who need such support, such as Care Homes, primary care, social work etc. 

    What is Palliative Care? You will be able to explain the history of palliative care including reference to the World Health Organisation definition and NICE guidelines. You will understand the concept of holistic assessment in end of life. You will explore the concept of personhood applied to people with incurable illnesses. 

    You will the foundations in communicating with people at the end of their life and their families, particularly in event of them expressing strong emotions. You will be able to support team members who have encountered challenging conversations.  

    You will understand how to initiate conversations regarding advance care planning, how and where to document these.  You will understand the legal aspects and key terms such as Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR). You will consider the barriers of advance care planning and how to address these. You will know the process of registering a death and the legal practicalities involved. 

    You will be able to initiate conversations around what matters to individuals and to be able to set goals with individuals.  

    You will understand physiological changes during dying and death. You will consider the five priorities of care of a dying person. You will explore care in the last weeks of life and last days of life including medicine management at end of life. You will understand and recognise common symptoms in palliative care. 

    You will be able to recognise symptoms and how to report changes including identification of palliative care emergencies. You will understand and apply evidence-based management of pain, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting. You will recognise and can respond to common side effects of common medications at end of life and be able to judge when to initiate a syringe driver.  

    You will recognise spiritual needs and how this can be expressed. You will be able to demonstrate how to support a person experiencing spiritual distress. You will reflect on your own spiritual framework and how this can impact on how we care.  

    You will understand the diversity and normality of grief. You will be able to reflect on your own experiences of grief and bereavement and recognise and respond to cultural diversity in grief. You will explore models of grief and the concept of anticipatory grief. You will evaluate the difference between normal and prolonged or complicated grief. You will be able to plan support and signpost someone who is grieving to appropriate services.  

    You will explore key terms such as equity, inclusion, intersectionality and recognise causes of health inequalities. You will gain an understanding of the current challenges in palliative and end of life care for diverse populations. You will explore factors that influence health inequalities and consider ways in which we can raise awareness to reduce barriers to accessing good quality palliative and end of life care. 

    You will recognise stress in yourself and others and understand ways to support colleagues and create an effective working environment that is supportive and enhances wellbeing. You will understand how to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue and how to build personal resilience. You will understand the role of members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) in collaborative practice and support. You will reflect on your own experiences of loss and illness and how that impacts how you care for others. 

    The next three-day course will be held virtually on Zoom:

    • Tuesday 17 November
    • Wednesday 18 November
    • Wednesday 25 November

    We will then hold an in-person course in February 2027:

    • Tuesday 2 February
    • Wednesday 3 February
    • Wednesday 10 February

    Previous attendees have said:

    “[The teachers] were very knowledgeable and delivered the training with utmost passion for the course.”

    “Very knowledgeable and was very helpful. Has changed my mindset of palliative care.”

    “Very interactive”

    “Keep up the good work in imparting knowledge that will have a great impact on how professionals give care.”

    Nurse Verification of Expected Adult Death

    This on demand module is designed to help all nurses working in any setting, feel more confident performing this task.

    It is acknowledged that registered nurses ‘want to contribute to the care of the deceased by providing timely verification of expected death’ (Jo Wilson, National Nurse Consultant Group) and that nurses must have received appropriate training and be deemed competent before they undertake this task.

    This module is FREE for South East London and Croydon professionals.

    Register here

    What will I learn?

    • What verification of death means
    • The importance of nurses undertaking this role
    • The professional and legal issues surrounding Nurse Verification of Expected Death and those occasions when nurses must not verify death
    • The process, equipment and documentation required
    • The role of the Coroner
    • Communication challenges
    • Issues related to competence and accountability.

    Please note that this on demand module delivers theoretical training only. Delegates will need to be assessed in their workplace by someone able to assess competency in that environment.

    Who is it for?

    This on demand module is for registered nursing staff that have support to verify expected deaths in their workplace.

    What will the course look like?

    Verifying death is a critical part of end of life care, recognising that care doesn’t end when the person dies. Without verification, no further action can be taken, including necessary steps like informing relatives and organising the transfer to the mortuary or funeral directors. Delays also cause unnecessary distress to grieving families.

    We’ve created an on demand module suitable for all Registered Nurses to help nurses feel more confident about performing this essential task which enables necessary steps like informing relatives and organising the transfer to the mortuary or funeral directors.