CARE Course Topic: Palliative care

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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

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

Pathfinder Leaders in Palliative Care 

Are you a professional working in health and social care interested to contribute to positive experiences of death, dying and loss through strong and confident leadership?

If so, we would like to invest in you.

We are interested to work with emerging leaders who want to improve how people live, die and grieve, by drawing on new and different leadership thinking and action. They will be people that aspire to shape care, build partnerships and form services that are future orientated, courageous and creative in nature.

You will have the opportunity to learn as part of a group of like-minded people who can rise above the challenges of today to meet tomorrow’s opportunities. Those contributing to the course as facilitators and guest speakers are drawn from within and beyond the hospice and palliative care sectors.

Please email education@stchristophers.org.uk to discuss joining.

Our curriculum is forward-focused and covers a range of issues. Online sessions last three hours in length, providing opportunities for conceptual learning, practical application, personal reflection and action planning. 

What is expected if you join the course?

In the course of the programme you are expected to undertake a work-based project. We can help guide you in relation to the type of project most appropriate, but it must be one that is seen as valuable by the organisation for which you work, and one which calls on leadership skills in its design and implementation. Your organisation must be happy to support you to identify and work on the project, giving you access to relevant data and resources. Ideally your managers will allocate some time for you to work on this, protected from the demands of the rest of your job. 

We expect participants to attend at least 80% of the course and to be prepared to complete the work-based project.

This leadership programme is an excellent opportunity for leaders and managers that have an aspiration to progress to director level and beyond. You will be recognised as having leadership potential and talent by your employing organisation.

This course will be of interest to:

  • Senior Managers already in post who want to build strategic leadership skills
  • Senior team leaders and heads of department who aspire to lead directorates in the future
  • New CEOs or COOs who have recently taken up roles within the hospice/palliative care sector and who want to immerse themselves in this area of work
  • Existing directors looking to hone their leadership skills

Topics covered in the programme: 

  • Knowing self, values and strengths
  • Building personal assets and resilience
  • Building strategic vision and clarity
  • Financial confidence
  • Authentic, centred leadership and gravitas
  • Forward looking transformation and change
  • Negotiation skills and influencing others
  • Maximising agency and leverage
  • Big picture thinking
  • Driving innovation
  • Building others
  • Networks, collaboration and partnership working
  • Being intelligent around risk
  • Intimacy at scale

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

“The training strengthened my confidence as a leader and had a transformative impact on my career. I found my place in palliative care with a renewed sense of purpose”

– Thamirys Mendes, Brazil participant



“The course created a psychologically safe environment that encouraged open dialogue and deep self-reflection. I felt comfortable exploring my own strengths and areas for growth without judgment”

– Caroline Phillips, UK participant

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

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…
Read More Alex Daniels

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+…
Read More Mahoganie Hines

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

Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Nurse Consultant Development Programme

Nigel Dodds Nurses

Welcome to the Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) and Nurse Consultant (NC) Programme — a unique opportunity for experienced nurses in palliative and end of life care to advance their careers.

Offered by St Christopher’s CARE, a leading institution in hospice care, this programme equips you with the skills, confidence, and leadership needed to deliver high-quality, compassionate care.

Whether you’re looking to become an ACP or NC, you’ll benefit from expert teaching, practical learning, and a supportive community.

Join us to take your nursing practice to the next level and make a meaningful difference in end of life care.

For more information about the programme, please email the Professional Learning Team at education@stchristophers.org.uk

The potential contribution of senior nurses in palliative care has arguably never been greater. There is clear recognition on the part of Government, commissioners and providers of the value of strong clinical leadership to meet emerging demographic, disease specific, regulatory and other challenges. Simultaneously, there is new rhetoric and clarity about the potential role of nurses alongside medical and other colleagues to fulfil such a leadership role.

This unique course will offer sustained opportunity for nurses who aspire to be advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) or nurse consultants (NCs) to gain the skills and knowledge required within these roles. We welcome nurses from across the NHS, private and voluntary sector.

The programme is divided into two parts. All learners start together for the first half of the programme. Then, those that wish to advance their role beyond advanced nursing practice to that of a consultant remain for the second half of the programme.

  • New dates to be confirmed

Qualifications and experience required:

  • Experience: At least three years in a Band 7 nursing role or equivalent.
  • Palliative Care: Significant experience in palliative and end of life care.
  • Education: Completion (or near completion) of a Master’s program that includes advanced physical assessment and independent prescribing modules, or these must be completed by the end of the course.
  • Self-Development: A strong passion for self-improvement and enhancing nursing practice.
  • Leadership: A desire to be an effective leader focused on improving the experiences of dying and grief through advanced practice.
  • Network Commitment: Willingness to actively participate in the Global Palliative Nursing Network during the program.

Support from Host Organisation:

Candidates must work for an organisation that can support advanced practitioners, including:

  • Clinical Support: Access to supervision from a consultant doctor or nurse in relevant competencies (can be arranged as needed).
  • Mentorship: Guidance from a more senior nurse (can also be arranged as needed).
  • In-House Resources: Access to advice on independent prescribing and advanced examinations.

Host Organisation Requirements:

  • Adjusted responsibilities to allow for project completion, quality improvement experiences, and leadership opportunities.
  • There must be a senior nurse or doctor available to assess and sign off on the nurse’s capabilities during practice.
  • The organisation must agree to support the nurse’s development throughout the program with:
    • Financial assistance.
    • Time away from clinical duties for study.

Teaching and Learning Structure:

Participants will be taught by a diverse team of clinicians, healthcare leaders, academics, and peers. Learning will take place both in person and virtually.

Course Structure:

  • Aspiring Nurse Consultants (NCs): Must complete both Part 1 and Part 2.
  • Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs): Only required to complete Part 1.

Part 1 (For ACPs and NCs):

  • 12 In-Person Days: Comprehensive, face-to-face training sessions.
  • Minimum 6 Days of Self-Directed Learning: Independent study tailored by the course requirements.
  • Leadership Training (Optional): Available virtually for those seeking to enhance their leadership skills.
  • Teach with CARE (Optional): A hybrid program (in-person and virtual) designed to develop teaching and mentoring skills.

Part 2 (For Aspiring NCs Only):

  • 6 In-Person Days: Advanced, face-to-face learning specific to the Nurse Consultant role.
  • Minimum 2 Days of Self-Directed Learning: Independent study guided by course expectations.

Learning Methods for All Participants:

  • Lectures, Seminars, and Webinars: Engaging and informative sessions delivered by experts.
  • Workshops: Practical, hands-on learning activities.
  • Communities of Practice: Collaborative spaces for peer support and shared learning.
  • Guided Reflections: Opportunities for self-assessment and reflection on practice.
  • Clinical Observations and Placements: Real-world experience in clinical settings.
  • Online Learning Platform: A virtual space for interaction with peers and faculty, as well as access to additional on-demand learning resources.

Learners in the program will:

  • Understand the current landscape of palliative and end of life care and the role of nursing within it.
  • Grasp the diverse responsibilities of an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) or Nurse Consultant (NC) in this context.
  • Gain confidence in delivering skilled, evidence-based, personalized care to dying patients and their families, as expected of an ACP or NC.
  • Identify and act on leadership opportunities at all levels (individual, team, organiSation, system) that benefit from ACP or NC expertise.
  • Understand the importance of quality in healthcare and the role of senior clinical leaders in maintaining high standards.
  • Explore ways to advance and contribute to the nursing profession.

Meet your Programme Leaders

The programme will be led by Heather Richardson and Marie Cooper who will draw on the rich experience of colleagues within and beyond St Christopher’s working as senior clinicians and consultants. Some of the in-house team you will meet are described below. 

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
ACP and Nurse Consultant Development Programme

Dementia training days

As a health or social care professional supporting people at the end of life, do you feel confident and competent to support and care for people with advanced dementia and their carers?

Palliative Care for People with Advanced Dementia

As part of our learning programme here at St Christopher’s CARE to upskill clinicians and colleagues working in all settings to better understand and support the growing number of people with dementia at the end of life, we’ve created three training days looking at various topics associated with the end of life for people living with advanced dementia and their carers.

To meet the needs of people with busy working schedules and different areas of interest and expertise, this has been designed to be a flexible course – learners may complete all three days, any two, or just the one that most suits their needs.

What will I learn?

Thursday 21st January 2027 (virtual)

Communicating with people living with advanced dementia and their loved ones

  • Understand the different ways in which individuals with dementia communicate
  • Understand communication barriers and factors that can affect communication in a negative way
  • Be aware that non-verbal communication is an essential component of communication for people living with dementia

What will I learn?

Next date tbc

Common Symptoms in People Living with Advanced Dementia

  • Dementia: pathophysiology, aetiology and key symptoms
  • How to support people displaying distressed and adaptive behaviours
  • How to recognise and managing pain in people living with dementia
  • How to recognise delirium in people living with dementia
  • Discuss dementia case scenarios

What will I learn?

Next date tbc

Key palliative care issues relating to the people with advance dementia and their carers

This study day will highlight some of the important palliative care issues relating to people with advanced dementia and their loved ones. The goals of the day are to help learners:

  • Be more familiar with the signs and symptoms that dementia is progressing and of the last 6-12 months of life
  • Understand the importance of end-of-life planning to prevent crisis admissions to the hospital
  • Recognise and address ways in which dementia may impact on nutritional intake
  • Be more aware of how people with advanced dementia process and cope with grief and loss and how best to support them and their families talk about grief and loss
  • Understand that services can be developed to support people with advanced dementia stay at home for as long as possible
  • Know the stressors associated with caring for someone with dementia at the end of life

This course is pitched at an intermediate level and is suitable for nurses, doctors, social workers, occupational therapists, paramedics, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists.

Helen Scott

Helen is an Independent Nurse Lecturer specialising in palliative and end-of-life care and dementia. She is a Visiting Lecturer for St Christopher’s Hospice, London, and an Associate Trainer for Dementia…
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Shafika Banoo

Shafika currently works at St Christopher’s Hospice as a clinical fellow in the IPU. Shafika previously worked in India as a consultant in the city of Chennai in India for…
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Dr Monica Crugel

Dr Monica Crugel has more than 20 years’ experience in psychiatry and specialises in the care of older adults and people with dementia. She was a research fellow in a…
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Dr Jemima Collins

Dr Jemima Collins is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Care of Older People at the University of Nottingham. Her research interests are in ageing populations with chronic pain. She…
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Tracey Carter

Tracey Carter is an Registered Mental Nurse with over 35 years experience within the mental health arena, the last 15 years having been specifically within the Dementia Care field. Tracey…
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Maria Aparicio

Maria has worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care with St Christopher’s Hospice in the Community team in 2018. For two years she joined the St Christopher’s Centre…
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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…
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Annette Banks

Annette, Dementia Care Manager at HC-One, is a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN), who works in the care sector.  Her HC-One name badge says ‘Share a Smile’ because she says a…
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Katy Jenks

Katy, Head of Specialist Services at HC-One, is a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) and chose to work in the care sector because it is person-centred, and it has always been important…
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Isabelle Latham

Dr Isabelle Latham is Researcher-in-Residence for Hallmark Care Homes and honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester. Isabelle is the UK’s first…
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Wilco Achterberg

Wilco is a professor in care for older persons, with research mainly based in nursing homes. He specifically focusses on pain in neurodegenerative diseases. Wilco is dedicated to improve clinical…
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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.
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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