The Lantern Model
A contemporary model of nursing
Introducing the Lantern Model
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.
The model was created 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.
Their hope is that this will stimulate thought and conversation about palliative nursing by nurses – who are interested to explore their role and its impact.
Evidence-based
The model is underpinned by a variety of evidence – patient and family views, subjective experience of nurses and a review of the academic literature.
It has been generated through extended discussion and engagement with senior nurses with a broad range of nursing experience at the end of life.


Practice development
It is the basis of a new practice development approach to building compassionate person-centred care being co-designed by hospices, Queen Margaret’s University in Edinburgh and St Christopher’s CARE.
Please see this article on the model in Nursing Times and also an article from Hospice in the Weald on how they are using the model.
Explore the Lantern Model
Lantern Model Tools
Since its launch in 2020 the Lantern Model has served as a basis for new tools designed to enhance and support palliative nursing. Tools can be downloaded from our free Resource Library.
Self-reflection tool for nurses
Framework to support the review of someone’s care
Guidance for leading multi professional care planning events
Download the Lantern Model
Background to the Lantern Model
The Lantern Model in CARE
The Lantern Model underpins all of our learning for nurses. See below a selection of our current courses that draw on the Lantern Model to shape their content.

Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care for Registered Nurses, Nursing Associates and Allied Health Professionals
- 20 Feb, 2024
- 3 days at St Christopher's CARE
- 9am to 4.30pm (with lunch break)
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

Newly Qualified Nurses and Paramedics Community of Practice
- 23 May, 2023 , 20 Jun, 2023 , 11 Jul, 2023 , 12 Sep, 2023 , 17 Oct, 2023 , 21 Nov, 2023 , 16 Jan, 2024 , 20 Feb, 2024 , 19 Mar, 2024 , 16 Apr, 2024
- 2 hours
- 4-6pm
This group has a focus on the principles of palliative and end of life care, providing opportunities for shared learning, continuous development and pastoral support

Global Palliative Nursing Network Events
- 18 Jan, 2024
- 15:30-17:00 GMT/UTC
Join the Global Palliative Nursing Network for FREE to have access to all our Meet Up & Share and Spotlight events


In practice
Lantern Model shines a light on good nursing practice at Hospice in the Weald
Read how a group of staff from Hospice in the Weald have adopted the Lantern Model.