CARE Delivery Type: Virtual

Technological Innovation in Palliative Care Conference

  • What if we reimagined palliative care for a digital age?
  • What if we could harness technology without losing what matters most?
  • What if the next chapter of palliative care is being written now?
Technological innovation in palliative care conference - sep 2026 - graphic

Technology is changing healthcare at pace. Across palliative and end-of-life care, new possibilities are emerging through research, digital innovation, data science, virtual technologies and artificial intelligence. At the same time, fundamental questions remain.

  • How do we harness technology while preserving dignity, equity, human connection and person-centred decision-making?
  • How do we shape a future that reflects the values at the heart of palliative care?

We believe it is possible to create a future in which technology supports better care, stronger connections, greater accessibility and new opportunities for learning, while remaining grounded in what matters most to patients, families, communities and professionals.

You are invited to join colleagues from hospices, health and social care organisations, palliative care services, academia and the wider research community in a conversation about what that future could look like.

Through keynote presentations, research showcases and interactive discussion, we will explore real-world examples of technological innovation in palliative care, including virtual reality, digital services, automation, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, advance care planning technologies and emerging questions about death, grief and digital presence. These themes reflect the conference programme and its breadth of perspectives. 

Together, we will explore what is possible, what is responsible, what is evidence-informed and what is yet to be understood. We will share experiences, challenge assumptions, learn from one another and consider how innovation can be translated into safe, meaningful and compassionate practice.

If you choose to join us, we ask that you:

  • Come with curiosity.
  • Be willing to share your perspectives and experiences.
  • Engage respectfully with different viewpoints.
  • Help create a space for supportive dialogue and collective learning.

This conference is suitable for anyone with an interest in research, innovation and the future of palliative care, including:

  • Hospice and palliative care professionals
  • Nurses and Allied Health Professionals
  • Clinical leaders and consultants
  • Social care professionals
  • Researchers and academics
  • Digital, data and innovation leads
  • Service managers and operational leaders

Topics currently under development include:

  • Learn from real-world examples of innovation in hospice care
  • Explore the opportunities and challenges of AI and emerging technologies
  • Discover how research can be translated into everyday practice
  • Connect with colleagues from across the sector
  • Leave with practical ideas to support future service improvement and innovation

Programme and speakers will be announced soon.

More speaker and detailed programme information to come.

Dr Guy Peryer

Guy is Director of Research at St Christopher’s hospice. He is a Chartered Psychologist with extensive experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of complex interventions.
Read More Dr Guy Peryer

Dr. Amara Nwosu

Dr. Amara Nwosu is a Senior Clinical Lecturer in Palliative Care at Lancaster Medical School. In this plenary session, Dr. Amara Nwosu will deliver an engaging, thought-provoking examination of how…
Read More Dr. Amara Nwosu

Dr Nicola White

Dr Nicola White is a Principal Research Fellow and Deputy Head of the Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department at UCL. She leads a programme of research on virtual reality…
Read More Dr Nicola White

Matt Tregellas

After graduating from the University of Sheffield, Matt moved to Japan where he began his career as an English language teacher. After three years, Matt returned to the UK where…
Read More Matt Tregellas

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…
Read More Gail Preston

Daliya Rizvi

Daliya Rizvi is a senior undergraduate at Duke University studying Immuno-Oncology: Ethics and Applications, a self-designed interdisciplinary major. Her research focuses on cross-cultural perspectives on palliative care and end-of-life support,…
Read More Daliya Rizvi

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. 

We Need To Talk About Frailty Conference

Our one-day frailty and palliative care conference brings together experts, practitioners and leaders from across health and social care to explore the latest research, policy and practice. More importantly, it asks how we can turn knowledge into action.

Through shared learning, practical examples and cross-sector discussion, this conference will challenge us to think differently about how we support people living with frailty and those approaching the end of life.

We Need To Talk About Frailty Conference - graphic with date (3 December)

Please look at our ‘Progamme’ tab to explore the full overview of the day. The conference will include three workshops based on examples of frailty care in practice and integrating across systems. In-person conference attendees will have the choice between different settings; hospice, hospital and community. Virtual conference attendees will join the hospice workshop.

The theme of this year’s conference is We need to talk about frailty: from conversations to actions.

Frailty is one of the defining challenges facing health and care today. As more people live longer with increasingly complex needs, professionals across hospices, hospitals, primary care, care homes and community services are supporting people living with frailty every day.

During the conference, we will explore how health and care systems can work effectively with communities and wider society to support people living with and dying from frailty. Together, we will examine how we can move beyond recognising the challenges of frailty towards taking practical action that improves care and outcomes.

Through discussions on national policy, including MSFs (Modern Service Frameworks), alongside the latest research, innovation and examples of best practice, we will consider how different sectors can work together to provide more coordinated, person-centred care.

On the day, you can also expect:

  • Posters and exhibition stands
  • Expert plenary sessions, panel discussions and interactive workshops
  • Networking opportunities with professionals from across health, social care and community settings

Join us as we move the conversation on frailty forward — from discussion to action.

Aimed at any health and social care professional who supports people with frailty and those who are toward the end of life. The day will be of particular interest to those working in hospices, hospitals, community groups, care homes and general practice.

Helena Talbot Rice

Helena joined St Christopher’s in June 2011 after thirteen years working clinically in the acute sector in the NHS. Prior to St Christopher’s, she worked in various large teaching hospitals…
Read More Helena Talbot Rice

Dr Sara Robbins

Sara qualified from Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Medical School in 2011 and is currently the Medical Director at St Christopher’s. From an early stage in her career, she developed…
Read More Dr Sara Robbins

Dr Esther Clift

Esther leads an Acute Frailty Service on the Isle of Wight. She is an associate lecturer at Winchester University, leading on rehabilitation in ageing. She examines and is a board…
Read More Dr Esther Clift

Dr Sarah Bell

Dr Sarah Bell is the Medical Director and Deputy CEO of Garden House Hospice Care. After training and starting her career at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, she…
Read More Dr Sarah Bell

Dr Daniel Harman

Dan is a Consultant Community Geriatrician and Joint Clinical Lead at the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre (JBICC), Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. Dan and colleagues working within the…
Read More Dr Daniel Harman

Dr Tom Downes

Tom completed medical training at Guy’s Hospital, London in 1993. He has been a Consultant Geriatrician at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals since 2003 and gained his MBA from Nottingham University Business…
Read More Dr Tom Downes

Dr Daniel Stow

Daniel is a Lecturer in Epidemiology at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London. His PhD at Newcastle University examined frailty and end-of-life care in primary…
Read More Dr Daniel Stow

Dr Matthew Butler

Matthew is a Consultant Geriatrician at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, where he is the Trust Clinical Lead for End of Life Care, and the newly appointed Clinical Lead for Frailty at…
Read More Dr Matthew Butler

Mary Hodgson, PhD.

Mary is Director of Inclusion & Social Innovation at St Christopher’s where she is responsible for our community action, lived experience working and tackling inequalities work to create greater health…
Read More Mary Hodgson, PhD.

Dr Sarah Ribbands

Dr Sarah Ribbands graduated Exeter University in 2004 with an LLB in Law, and latterly from University of Cardiff with a masters in medical law LLM.  Subsequently, she worked in…
Read More Dr Sarah Ribbands
Time Session
9:00amArrival and Registration
9:20amWelcome and introduction to the day
9:30amNational Picture – current frailty policy
Tom Downes, National Clinical Director for Older People – NHS England
10:30amWhat is the evidence on the needs of people dying with frailty?
Daniel Stow, Lecturer in Epidemiology Queen Mary University of London

EnRICH research
Matt Butler, Consultant Geriatrician
11:15amMorning Break
11:30amLiving well dying well – Frailty model in Hull
Daniel Harman, Consultant Community Geriatrician

Frailty model at Garden House Hospice
Dr Sarah Bell, Medical Director & Lisa Hunt, CEO
12:10pmPanel Discussion and Q&A
Including Tom Downes, Caroline Nicholson, Cat Sullivan, and Esther Clift
12:45pmLunch
1:45pm
Workshops: Frailty care in practice & integrating across systems
Please see ‘Workshops’ tab for more info
3:15pmAfternoon Break
3:30pmComing together from workshops
Conference Chairs
3:45pmFinal plenary – call to arms
Caroline Nicholson, Professor of Palliative Care & Aging University of Surrey
4:15pmQ&A
4:25pmReflections & Close
Conference Chairs

As seen in the programme, we are holding afternoon workshops on ‘Frailty care in practice & integrating across systems‘.

All delegates will attend one 90 minute workshop focusing on examples in practice and integrating across systems.

Anyone joining in-person will be able to choose when registering which setting is most relevant to you: Hospital, Hospice or Community. You will be directed to the relevant room for that workshop.

If you are joining us online, you will be automatically selected for the Hospice workshop.

Hospital

In the Hospital workshop, you’ll hear from two teams that run specific frailty services supporting people towards the end of life within a Hospital setting. You’ll have the opportunity to consider how their learning could influence the services that you provide. The two teams speaking at this workshop are:

  • Croydon University Hospital A&E
  • T2 Ward (The Willows) from Addenbrookes Hospital: A nurse led end of life care ward focused on the individual needs and wishes of patients and their families.

Hospice

If you are working in, or with hospices, this workshop will enable you to hear and develop your own thoughts on best practice. Hear from Garden House Hospice who run an Advancing Illness service and consider how this sits in the national context with Hospice UK. Bringing these together may help shape and influence your services.

Community

Creating innovative and responsive services that meet the needs of our population is essential in the community and links into the NHS 10 year plan. The Isle of Wight Frailty Service will share their experiences and challenges to support you in thinking how you can apply this to your practice, or develop services appropriate to your context. Explore the wealth of community relationships outside of existing and traditional organisational structures.


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. 

Global Nursing Fellowship Programme

Are you a nurse committed to making a difference in the lives of people at the end of life?

GPNN member and nurse Shahana Sharmin

This transformative development programme is designed for nurses who want to deepen their professional identity, enhance their practice, and lead with confidence in palliative care settings be it for adults or children.

This course brings together the heart of nursing and the principles of palliative care, using powerful storytelling, reflective practice, and leadership development.

Bookings now closed for this year – please register your interest for a future cohort.

Quotes from our 2025 learner cohort:

“This has been a beautiful journey and I’ve enjoyed connecting with so many empathic professionals from around the world.”

“I was truly captivated by the range of topics in this course. It beautifully intertwined the essence of nursing with palliative care, and was incredibly enriching for me. One session stood out above the rest: the facilitator discussing nursing perspectives through the lens of Florence Nightingale and Dame Cicely Saunders. It gave me chills – it was such a profound and touching moment.”

“What a wonderful programme which involved such enthusiastic members. I enjoyed the conversation, connection and education. What an age we live in to allow this virtual ability of connecting with one another all over the world. You have provided this beautiful, accessible hub with such a diverse community of medical personnel. Knowing that there are common threads that support all of us is so important.”

Grounded in contemporary models like the Lantern Model, it empowers nurses to:

  • Understand their unique contribution to end-of-life care
  • Communicate with clarity, empathy, and courage
  • Lead positive change within their teams and systems
  • Invest in your growth, both professionally and personally

This programme will feature:

  • Interactive workshops with expert facilitators
  • Reflective activities to deepen self-awareness
  • Peer learning and community building
  • Practical outputs like personal development plans, storytelling pieces, and advocacy tools
  • Ongoing support to apply learning in your practice setting

This programme is for nurses working in end of life /palliative care who want to build their skills and confidence in their clinical leadership at the bed side and in leading their team.

We welcome applicants from across the world.

To obtain a certificate of course completion you will be required to do the following:

  • Attend 80% (minimum) of the sessions
  • Set a personal goal at the start and reflect on your progress on completion of the programme
  • Write a 500 word reflection

By attending this programme you will obtain:

  • Greater clarity and confidence in your nursing identity
  • Enhanced communication and leadership capabilities
  • Strategies to support your wellbeing and that of your team
  • A portfolio of outputs showcasing your learning and vision
  • A stronger voice in shaping palliative care now and into the future
  • Strong leadership and advocacy skills

You will also experience:

Foundations & Identity

  • The Power of Storytelling in Nursing
  • Core Principles of Palliative Care
  • The Lantern Model: A Framework for Holistic Practice
  • Professional Identity & Acting Authentically
  • The Nurse’s Unique Role in Palliative Care

Skills & Confidence

  • Leading Sensitive Conversations & Advance Care Planning
  • Coaching & Compassionate Communication
  • Person-Centred & Culturally Responsive Care
  • Teaching & Mentoring in Clinical Practice

Growth & Leadership

  • Recognising and Building on Personal Strengths
  • Ethical Practice & Moral Courage
  • Nurse Leadership & Influencing Change
  • Strengthening Your Voice & Advocacy Skills

Wellbeing & Culture

  • Psychological Safety & Healthy Workplaces
  • Building a Sustainable Self-Care Plan

Creating Flourishing, Supportive Cultures

DateDayStart Time (Local / UTC)End Time (Local / UTC)
18 September 2026 (Booking deadline)
Friday
29 October 2026 (onboarding)Thursday15:00 / 15:0016:00 / 16:00
12 November 2026Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
26 November 2026Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
10 December 2026Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
7 January 2027Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
21 January 2027Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
4 February 2027Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
18 February 2027Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
4 March 2027Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
18 March 2027Thursday15:00 / 15:0017:00 / 17:00
1 April 2027Thursday14:00 / 13:00 UTC16:00 / 15:00 UTC
15 April 2027Thursday14:00 / 13:00 UTC16:00 / 15:00 UTC
29 April 2027Thursday14:00 / 13:00 UTC16:00 / 15:00 UTC

Marie Cooper

Marie Cooper is a nurse with extensive experience in clinical leadership and practice development across a range of care settings. Having led change in previous roles, she now enjoys working…
Read More Marie Cooper

Communication Skills Introduction

What is a meaningful conversation?

Stewards

A genuine, empathetic exchange that brings together connection and support—especially during emotional moments.

Perhaps you are a receptionist, porter, caterer, or health or social care assistant, who finds yourself supporting individuals or families in distress. This course will give you the confidence to hold a meaningful conversation in challenging situations.

Try out a conversation with one of our virtual humans:

Build your confidence and communication skills to respond with empathy, without the stress of real-time role play. It’s interactive, research-based, and offers practical tools for handling sensitive conversations, relevant across care, support, and even retail settings.

How is the course delivered?

By attending the course, you will have access to a range of realistic scenarios to practise your skills in a safe and supportive environment, with personalised formative feedback to guide ongoing improvement.

We’re excited to partner with Virti to bring you an innovative learning experience using AI-powered adaptive learning. This provides:

  • Scenario-based learning with AI-driven Virtual Humans
  • Safe, repeatable practice environment (no role play anxiety!)
  • Multiple realistic scenarios to build confidence
  • Personalised feedback to improve communication
  • Built with psychological safety and realism in mind

Watch the video below to find out more.

This course, will build your confidence and communication skills to respond with empathy, without the stress of real-time role play. It’s interactive, research-based, and offers practical tools for handling sensitive conversations, relevant across care, support, and even retail settings.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Confidently approach difficult conversations with compassion
  • Recognise common communication barriers
  • Identify distress in others and manage the personal impact of difficult conversations
  • Reflect on your professional role, its boundaries, and relevant policies and procedures
  • Strengthen emotional resilience and adopt strategies for self-care

When you sign up to this course you will have access to ‘virtual role play’ which is an innovative learning tool that provides a safe space for you to practice your newly acquired communication skills in different scenarios. Evidence shows that simulation-based learning and the opportunity to practice skills in a range of different scenarios helps to reinforce learning.

This half-day course is for those wanting to improve on communication skills in situations where you might have more challenging or sensitive conversations.

This course is particularly aimed at:

  • Receptionists
  • Porters
  • Health or social care assistants
  • Transport services
  • Catering staff
  • Domiciliary care staff
  • Retail staff
  • Anyone interested in further developing the skills and confidence when faced with more challenging conversations in the workplace.

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…
Read More Gail Preston

Virtual Clinical Visits

Nurses Corridor

The Virtual Clinical Visits provide an opportunity to find out more about palliative and end of life care at St Christopher’s Hospice based on your clinical specialism, hosted online and via on-demand resources.

You will engage in the virtual visit alongside clinical colleagues from different contexts. Activities during the virtual visit include opportunities to explore St Christopher’s services, witness multidisciplinary meetings and clinical decision making, network with peers, meet with St Christopher’s staff relevant to your role and critically evaluate practice within your own professional context.

By the end of the Virtual Clinical Visit you will create an action plan for developing practice specific to your context.

Orientation will be via our Online Learning Platform.

“The Virtual Clinical Visit was well-designed and engaging. It inspired me to review what I am currently doing and to rethink what matters to clients, their family and to me/our team” Lai Ming Lamcy, October 2025

“The dedicated sessions with faculty members from similar specialties were particularly valuable, as they offered deeper insights into their roles and functioning within the hospice.
The programme was highly impactful. I was able to adapt and replicate several of the practices and approaches in our own setting.” Attendee, October 2025

All clinical professions working in palliative care or interested in palliative care.

Example timetable from our last virtual clinical visit:

Pre-visit activities/orientation

Following onboarding, visitors complete self guided tasks:
Introduce yourself and your context
Orientation to the Learning Platform
Required tasks (e.g. consent)
St Christopher’s Virtual Tour
St Christopher’s history including ‘The Voices That Shaped Us’

Live Sessions

Tuesday 8 SeptWednesday 9 SeptThursday 10 SeptFriday 11 Sept
Meet the team
What is a hospice?
Teams in St Christopher’s Rehabilitative Palliative Care
Lantern models of care
Reflection
 Clinical Practice
Visit and experience:
– Board round
– Multidisciplinary meeting
– Mortality meeting
– Outcome measure
– Self (staff) care  		The Patient Voice
Some patient experiences of hospice care
Professional interface
Reflections to inform planning
Discussion with clinician related to your area of practice		Action Planning for Practice
Plans for developing practice
Questions, Evaluations, Close
Live session at
1.00pm to 2.30pm GMT)  		Live session at
1.00pm to 2.30pm GMT)  		Professional interface – Live session 1.00pm to 2.00pm (GMT)Live session at 1.00pm to 2.30pm (GMT)

Follow up

Wednesday 14 October 2026
Follow up on Action Plan
Access to materials provided post visit
Review of short-term plans online
Live session at 1.00pm to 2.30pm (GMT)

Lorna Malcolm

Lorna joined the Rehabilitation team at St Christopher’s in 2008, as a newly qualified physiotherapist, coming from previous careers in Law and Health and Fitness. She has also worked as…
Read More Lorna Malcolm

Associate Clinical Nurse Specialists and Associate Paramedic Specialists Development Programme

Are you an Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS) or Associate Paramedic Specialist (APS) in your first year of practice?

Join our monthly online development programme, designed to enhance your confidence, skills, and knowledge in delivering high-quality end-of-life care.

Across the UK, there is a recognised skills gap for Band 6 ACNS and ACPS professionals, with no national programme currently in place to address this need. This programme bridges the gap by covering key topics in palliative care.

As part of the programme, you’ll also join a supportive peer group, providing a space to share challenges, discuss opportunities, and learn collaboratively with others.

This one-year course is comprised of:

  • Monthly sessions covering core palliative care topics, including symptom management, autonomous working, clinical decision-making, communication, and advance care planning.
  • Virtual 1:1 sessions to provide personalised support, helping learners deepen their knowledge and skills.
  • Access to an online learning platform (OLP) to check pre-and post-course learning and review recorded sessions.

Band 6 Associate Clinical Nurse Specialists and Associate Paramedic Specialists in palliative care.

See below session dates for 2026/27. All sessions will be 2-4pm.

This cohort has now commenced but you can register your interest for next year.

28th April 26 – Introduction and assessment of palliative needs
19th May 26 – Pain assessment
16th June 26 – Neuropathic pain
14th July 26 – Nausea and vomiting
8th Sept 26 – Advanced care planning/DNAR UCP training
6th Oct 26 – Palliative care emergencies
3rd Nov 26 – Respiratory conditions in the palliative patient
1st Dec 26 – Clinical decision-making
5th Jan 27 – Interpretation of blood results
2nd Feb 27 – Working as an autonomous practitioner

By the end of the programme, you will:

  • Build a solid foundation of palliative care knowledge to enhance clinical experience.
  • Apply core concepts to real-world scenarios confidently.
  • Develop critical thinking and reflective practice in clinical decision-making.
  • Evaluate and demonstrate the integration of new knowledge into practice.

Mary Watson

Clinical Team Lead Mary joined St Christopher’s in 2014 as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. For the past 18 months she has been in the role of Associate Consultant Nurse and…
Read More Mary Watson

Chris Mangar

Chris is a Clinical Team Lead working for St Christopher’s in Bromley. He has worked in the community for many years and in specialist palliative care since 2011.  Chris combined holding…
Read More Chris Mangar

Bereavement and loss for health and social care professionals

Do you feel confident supporting someone who is grieving?

A young man and woman talking together.

For health and social care professionals, navigating conversations around loss can be challenging—both when supporting others and managing personal experiences of grief.

This interactive 3.5 hour online session, led by experienced bereavement leads, will enhance your confidence and skills in providing compassionate bereavement support.

This course is held online via Zoom, and will be facilitated by leading experts in bereavement services and support.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

  • Recognise the signs of grief in individuals and understand the various factors influencing their grieving process.
  • Engage in compassionate and supportive conversations with people who are bereft and grieving.
  • Practise self-care strategies to maintain emotional well-being while supporting people with a loved one that has died.

This course is open to all health and social care professionals in any setting.

Choose the date that works best for you.

Fiona Walkingshaw

Fiona is Head of Adult and Child Bereavement Services at St Christopher’s Hospice. It is a newly created post which aims to ensure the continuous development and sustainability of St…
Read More Fiona Walkingshaw

Global Palliative Nursing Network Events

Global Palliative Nursing Network

Our aim through the Global Palliative Nursing Network (GPNN) is to establish a worldwide network to provide peer support and professional development for all nurses working in palliative care – wherever they are.

Join the Global Palliative Nursing Network for FREE* and you will have access to all our learning events.

Please note that you only need to register once to hear about all the events.

Spotlight

The next spotlight is taking place Tuesday 20th October 2026.

Topic: From Recognition to Response: Delirium in End-of-Life Dementia Care

We’re delighted to invite you to our next Interdisciplinary Spotlight — putting a spotlight on a topic we all have a stake in.

Delirium is common in people living with dementia, particularly towards the end of life, yet recognising and responding to it can be challenging. We will hear from experts in the field as  we  explore how we can move from recognition to compassionate, person-centred response.

We will consider how to:

  • Recognise and assess palliative and end-of-life needs, including signs that someone may be approaching the end of life.
  • Differentiate delirium, dementia and other causes of deterioration.
  • Respond compassionately to symptoms and distress.
  • Communicate and make decisions together with people, families and carers, including advance care planning.

This will be an interdisciplinary conversation, bringing together different perspectives, experiences and approaches to caring for people with dementia at the end of life.

Dr Gillian Jackson headshot

Dr Gillian Jackson is a Research Fellow in Palliative Care at Hull York Medical School. Her work focuses on improving care in palliative care and oncology, particularly the detection, assessment and management of delirium. With a background spanning Human Biology, Translational Oncology and Medical Sciences, her research combines mixed methods, co-design and implementation science to turn research into meaningful improvements in patient care. Alongside her research, Gillian is Module Lead for Implementation Science on the MSc Palliative Care programme and contributes to teaching across the programme/school.

Sarah Mitchell headshot

Sarah Mitchell is a registered nurse with a background in palliative care and oncology. Having worked clinically in a variety of settings, Sarah has always been curious about how things could be done better. This curiosity has led to her first role in research (working on the DAMPen-Delirium II study) which aims to actively improve care for patients with delirium using implementation science.

We’d love you to join us and share your experience, questions and reflections.

May 2026 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members

Caring for a Person with Diabetes at the End of Life: A Palliative Care Approach

Our May spotlight was delivered as an interdisciplinary collaboration in conjunction with the Global Palliative Doctors Network.

This session brought together a panel of professionals with expertise in both palliative care and diabetes, offering a rich, multidisciplinary perspective on an important and often under-explored area of practice.

Using a case study to guide discussion, we explored:

  • Practical challenges, including care at home versus hospital settings and considerations in low-resource environments
  • The experience of living with diabetes as one faces end of life
  • Why diabetes care at the end of life requires a distinct approach
  • Goals of care: reframing conversations from tight control to comfort and quality of life
  • The role of deprescribing: when and how to adapt treatment

January 2026 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members

Moral Injury in Nursing

Struggling with ethical tension in practice? You’re not alone.
This Spotlight explored frameworks, language, and support to navigate complex decisions in palliative care and beyond.

Following the success of our October Spotlight on Nurse Wellbeing in the Context of Assisted Dying, we’re expanding the conversation with a timely and globally relevant topic: Caring for the Nurse: Moral Injury and Meaning in Practice

Navigating ethical dilemmas in today’s palliative care landscape
This session explored:

  • What moral injury means in nursing
  • How it intersects with ethical decision-making
  • A contemporary framework to support reflection and practice and build ethical confidence
  • Its relevance across current clinical and global contexts

The spotlight featured:

Eunice Sirkett (UK), Lecturer in Nursing, School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George’s, University of London

Prof Heather Richardson (UK) – a nurse leader known for her, reflective approach and commitment to values-based palliative care

Prof David Kenneth Wright (Canada) – a nurse ethicist who’s been diving deep into the realities of moral injury and what it means for nurses today

October 2025 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members

Maintaining wellbeing of the nurse in the face of assisted dying

There is a strong possibility that the law in the UK will change which will legalise an assisted death. This will represent a seismic change in the landscape of life, death and grief and has huge implications for organisations involved in health and palliative care, clinicians and others involved in the care of people who are dying and those close to them.

Many UK based nurses are already giving careful consideration to how they manage the changing demands that such a change would bring to their practice, professional values and identity in the event of a change in the law.  Nurses in other parts of the world are watching carefully also, mindful that shifts and consequences in the UK could reflect their own experiences in the future and help guide any preparation required on their part.

This spotlight brought together nurse leaders to explore the possible consequences of introducing assisted death to the world of palliative care and how nurses and their teams maintain their wellbeing and impact in the light of it.

Speakers

Caring for people considering assisted dying presents profound professional and emotional challenges.
A thought-provoking session exploring how nurses can sustain their wellbeing while providing safe, compassionate care for those who may wish to explore or plan to take up this option. 

Heather Richardson 2020

Dr Heather Richardson set the context for this important discussion.

Victoria Ali headshot

Victoria Ali, Postgraduate Student, Lancaster University, shared early research findings on how nurses experience aspects of care that may be perceived as hastening death and the implications for individual practice and nursing leadership.

Nicole Porquet-Seitz

Nicole Porquet-Seitz, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care (Calgary, Canada), offered insights from her extensive experience working alongside Medically Assisted in Dying (MAID) , reflecting on its impact on nurses, relationships with patients and families, and the role of palliative care in supporting those who choose this path.

July 2025 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members

“The Canary in the Coal Mine: Why a Trauma-Informed Lens Empowers Nurses”

Ever feel like something’s off in the system, and you’re carrying the weight of it all? That’s no coincidence. Nurses are the early warning signs of deeper issues in healthcare – just like canaries in the coal mine. When we’re burning out, it’s time to pay attention.

In this session we explored how a trauma-informed lens can help meet the real needs of nurses – our stress, our stories, and our systems.

We heard from Ana Da Silva Vicente and Anna Mahne, two nurses on a journey to bring humanity back into healthcare. They shared how understanding trauma, systems thinking, and neuroscience has transformed the way they lead, care, and look after themselves.

April 2025 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members

Global Health and opportunities for palliative nursing leadership – a masterclass from leaders in the field

We were joined by Barbara Stillwell a nurse with huge expertise in global health and two of the GPNN champions Yangden Paki in Bhutan and Dr Halima Ali Sudan who have in different ways initiated palliative care in their countries. Their amazing stories depict how it starts with one nurse and builds through connection and collaboration.

January 2025 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members

The vital place of Professional Development to strengthen the impact of nursing

We were joined by Joanna O’Brien who shared what she values about her own professional development and Minna Hokka, Doctor of Nursing Practice Senior and Researcher at Diaconia University of Applied Sciences.

In this session we will explore what are the key domains to attend to, to develop one’s self.

Minna will share with us the impact of introducing a groundbreaking National Competency Framework for palliative nursing in Finland. 

September 2024 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members

Patricia Strachan and Marie Cooper led a fantastic session on the importance of storytelling, and shared insights on the unique role and skills of nursing in communication and advocacy.

 Patricia, who hosts the Radical Nurse Talk podcast, underscored the power of storytelling , urging us to spotlight our relational  praxis  and grow in confidence to articulate the compassion, empathy, and presence in patient care. These stories can reveal the profound impact of human connection in nursing which can often overshadowed by the focus on clinical efficiency and metrics. 

The reflections shared  by others during this session inspired us to rethink how we talk about nursing, and reminded us of the critical role of the unique contribution of nurses. 

4 April 2024 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members
Investing in our people – our greatest asset 

We know if we want to provide quality and sustainable care, we and our colleagues need to be resourced and happy at work.  

At this month’s spotlight event hear from network leads Marie and Heather, along with guest speaker Dr Emma Hodges. We will: 

1. Look at the vital aspects of recruitment, retention, and development and why attending to our happiness at work can have real value. 

2. Introduce you to Practice Development as an approach which you can build into your everyday leadership. It will focus on benefits of staff knowing they are valued and that their voice matters.

3. Look at how to harness support beyond the confines of the paid workforce. We’ll delve into the power of investing in your local community and leveraging the strength of volunteers to enrich your care offer and extend your impact.

18 January 2024 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members
The therapeutic presence of nurses in the place of suffering 

Presented by Deborah Holman, Lecturer, St Christopher’s CARE, Leonor Pacheco, Deputy Ward Manager, St Christopher’s and Anu Savio Thelly, Nurse Consultant, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute

Much of the work in palliative nursing involves accompanying the person as they encounter loss  and suffering. This can be hard and we seek to alleviate suffering wherever we can. However there will be times where our very presence is all that we can offer and often that is all that is needed to enable that person to be seen, to know they will not be abandoned and they matter right to the end of their life. Come and meet Deborah, Leonor and Anu, nurses who have thought deeply on this aspect of nursing. They will share with us stories and strategies on how we can ‘meet the moment’, stay present and care for oneself at such times. 

Deborah Holman

Deborah Holman has been working at St Christopher’s since 2002 in clinical practice, in care homes and in education. For 8 years prior to this she worked closely with St Christopher’s…
Read More Deborah Holman

Leonor Pacheco 

Leonor is a Registered Nurse who trained in Portugal. She worked as a nurse in the inpatient unit at St Christopher’s for many years, including as a Deputy Ward Manager…
Read More Leonor Pacheco 

Anu Savio Thelly

Ms Anu Savio Thelly has played a vital role in establishing palliative care services in Pondicherry, India and integrating and implementing palliative care into the nursing curriculum at national level…
Read More Anu Savio Thelly

Spotlight Event

14 November 2023 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members
Opportunities to advance nursing through inspiring others to learn and democratising our knowledge

Presented by Alex Daniels, Maaike Vandeweghe and Mark Pedder

Join Alex, Maaike and Mark, three leaders in education who will share with us their expertise and insights into creating a rewarding learning environment in the workplace and online. 

Maaike and Mark will offer us creative ways to really ensure a positive learning experience within any care setting. 

Hear from Alex about the impact the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) is having globally through it’s drive to educate all in the care of children. We will get real insight into how having access to an online platform is offering nurses globally the opportunity to learn together in a flexible, self-directed style. Such an approach is having a real impact. 

Alex Daniels

Alex Daniels is an experienced children’s palliative care nurse and educationalist. She has a Masters in Paediatric Palliative Care from the University of Cape Town. Alex has gained rich experiences…
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Maaike Vandeweghe

Course Director and Senior Associate, St Christopher’s CARE Maaike is a general and mental health nurse and senior educationalist with over 20 years of substantial experience in dementia, palliative care,…
Read More Maaike Vandeweghe

Mark Pedder

Mark Pedder began his career age 16 in a care home for the elderly. He soon realised the importance of compassionate end of life and, 30 years later, is a…
Read More Mark Pedder

Spotlight Event

13 September 2023 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members
An Ethical framework for Nursing today

Presented by Mahoganie Hines, facilitated by David Kenneth Wright

Without doubt ethics is an integral part of the day-to-day work of a nurse and can raise real challenges. The most frequently occurring and stressful ethical situations are found to be in relation to protecting patients’ rights, staffing, advanced care planning and decision-making. How clear are you and your team on what informs such decisions?  What shared understanding and framework do you use? Mahoganie will make a compelling argument for the place of an ethical framework for nursing today and share with us her work to bring this into the fore within her practice. 

See here for an introductory video from Mahoganie.

Mahoganie Hines

Mahoganie volunteers her time to act as the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario’s (RNAO) Policy and Political Action ENO for the Palliative Care Nurse’s Interest Group for the past 5+…
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Spotlight Event

11 July 2023 – a ‘Watch Again’ recording is available to GPNN members
Re-encountering Trauma at the end of life

Presented by Dr Jo Stubley and Maggie Bisset

Join Maggie and Jo as they share their vast experience and expertise in this area of trauma informed care.

Through the lens of case studies and a short presentation we will discuss the ability to identify and support a dying person and their loved ones re-encountering trauma from a past experience and importantly how to care for oneself and our team as we attend to such suffering.

There will be an hour with the guest speakers then for 20 mins we setting up small groups of five for those of you who would like to stay on and chat about what you learnt or are left thinking about. 

Maggie Bissett

Maggie is a nurse consultant in Camden, Islington, UCLH & HCA Symptom Control & Palliative Care Service. Although beginning her career in Edinburgh working in adolescent and adult cancer care,…
Read More Maggie Bissett

Dr Jo Stubley

Dr Joanne Stubley is a Consultant Medical Psychotherapist at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. She joined the Tavistock Trauma Service in 1998 and has been the lead clinician since…
Read More Dr Jo Stubley

Marie Cooper

Marie Cooper is a nurse with extensive experience in clinical leadership and practice development across a range of care settings. Having led change in previous roles, she now enjoys working…
Read More Marie Cooper

Lantern Model

Lantern Model Flower

The Lantern Model is contemporary model of nursing for people dying or bereaved.

The model was developed by Heather Richardson and Marie Cooper, two nurses based at St Christopher’s who have articulated a contemporary model of nursing for  people dying or bereaved. 

The Lantern Model articulates the unique, vital and skilled role of nurses caring for people who are dying or bereaved and, by highlighting their contribution, makes the case for increased investment in their recruitment, development and retention.

Find out more

*Thanks to the generous support of a funder, the GPNN remains free for 2025/26

Rehabilitative Palliative Care International Community of Practice

Rehabilitative Palliative Care

Rehabilitative Palliative Care can make a big difference in people’s lives, upholding them as an individual and supporting them to be the best that they can be. Sometimes we know that creating change, implementing something new can be challenging and you can benefit from support along the way. This Community of Practice will support you using an ‘Action Learning’ model to create challenge, action planning and learning.

Comments from previous attendees:

“Safe space to share ideas and benefit from others’ experience.”

“I have grown in confidence over the past year and have found the network of the group really helpful.”

“This training has supported developing action plans for service development which has been invaluable.”

“The chance to hear what other places are doing and develop ideas from there – it has been good to know that there are resources out there that can be developed for us to use rather than starting from scratch.”

“It has given me confidence to be able to make decisions and changes in my role at our hospice.  Knowing that people in similar roles are having similar experiences was reassuring.“

When we are excited about change and want to implement something new it is important to take people with us and create lasting change. In these sessions we will support each other to see how the model can be used in your place of work.

We will explore the challenges and opportunities that there are available to you within your team, organisation and your national healthcare provision, and share expertise and experience within the group.

These sessions will not only give you a variety of support to take actions where you may be struggling but also an opportunity to network with other like-minded professionals across the world.

If you have any questions about the programme please contact education@stchristophers.org.uk

This small Community will be interactive and formed of people from across the world, and we will meet 10 times over the year. This group will be based on some of the principles of Action Learning sets. In the first session we will reflect on how the new Rehabilitative Palliative Care model fits in the context of our work.

We will think about the role that we all have to play as leaders, whatever level we might be in an organisation. We’ll start to think about how these might link to see what changes we would like to make where we work to implement this way of thinking.

There will be some pre course tasks which are likely to take a couple of hours and you will be encouraged to take the learning from the sessions and apply it into your workplace which may take some additional time.

You will be encouraged to create an overall goal and vision for the programme and consider the steps that you will need to take to implement it. The group will discuss these and provide support and encouragement along the way. We will then have opportunities, over the proceeding months, to bring issues that you are having to the group.

The aim is to create a continuous process of learning and reflection, supported by members with an intention of moving things forward. Though the group each participant with gather knowledge and have time for active reflection before making a plan. This will be followed up on subsequent sessions so we can all gain from each other’s learning.

This group is open to anyone working in a variety of healthcare economies who has a passion for the principles of rehabilitative palliative care and would like to make changes to their individual, team or organisational practice to more encompass these principles.

This year’s cohort is now underway. Please register your interest to join the next cohort.

Sessions will take place on Zoom 9.30-11am (UK time):

DateTime
Thursday 24 September 20269.30am–11am BST (8.30am–10am UTC)
Thursday 22 October 20269.30am–11am BST (8.30am–10am UTC)
Thursday 19 November 20269.30am–11am GMT (9.30am–11am UTC)
Thursday 17 December 20269.30am–11am GMT (9.30am–11am UTC)
Thursday 21 January 20279.30am–11am GMT (9.30am–11am UTC)
Thursday 18 February 20279.30am–11am GMT (9.30am–11am UTC)
Thursday 18 March 20279.30am–11am GMT (9.30am–11am UTC)
Thursday 22 April 20279.30am–11am BST (8.30am–10am UTC)
Thursday 20 May 20279.30am–11am BST (8.30am–10am UTC)
Thursday 24 June 20279.30am–11am BST (8.30am–10am UTC)

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…
Read More Lizzy Jenkins