Supporting Care in the Last Days of Life

Course Content

National guidance acknowledges there is just “one chance to get it right” when caring for individuals at the end of life. This session provides essential knowledge and practical skills to support individuals and their families during the final days of life. (Supportive Level, NHSE 2025).

The session includes:

• Recognising when someone is entering the last days or hours of life
• Managing common symptoms at the end of life: pain, breathlessness, nausea, agitation, respiratory secretions
• Rationalising and administering medications, including the use of syringe drivers
• Ethical considerations around eating and drinking at the end of life
• The importance of mouth care
• Emotional and spiritual support for individuals and their families
• Legal and practical aspects of care after death

• Maintaining your own wellbeing
• Current guidance on Verification of Expected Adult Death and consideration of care after death.

Eligibility Criteria

This session is ideal for health and social care professionals who would like to gain a core understanding and build their confidence within this area of practice.

Dates & Key Information

Dates

Thursday 05/03/26 – Classroom at St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds

Tuesday 06/10/26 – Virtual

Session Features:

• Safe, respectful learning environment
• Interactive group exercises and case scenario based discussions
• Video-based learning and reflection
• Current guidance on Verification of Expected Adult Death and consideration of care after death.
• Session is mapped to NHSE 2025 core capabilities (Supportive level)
• End of session reflective exercise
• Link to resources.

Facilitators

Jane Chatterjee, Lecturer in Palliative Care

Cost

£80 per person

(Funded places are available for colleagues in Leeds Community Healthcare and Leeds Primary Care Teams)

Register Your Interest