Introduction to Palliative Care

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of individuals and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness. There are two training courses available: Introduction to Palliative Care in a Care Home environment and the more substantial Palliative Care in the Community three day course

Both courses focus on the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and high quality, person centred assessment. The need for effective treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual are acknowledged but the courses focus on resources and approaches that can be used by non-medical staff supporting individuals with life threatening illness.

Introduction to Palliative Care in a care home environment

The following topics are covered:

Understanding pain and distress

The role of non-medical staff in treating pain and distress

Supporting individuals to have quality and dignity in the final part of their life

Acknowledging and talking about death and dying

Support needs of staff involved in end of life care

Palliative Care in the Community

This three day course provides an in-depth learning opportunity, covering the following four topics:

Underpinning philosophy of palliative care provision

Issues around communication and developing appropriate communication skills

Supporting pain and symptom management strategies

Understanding bereavement and supporting bereaved people