The Principles of Palliative and End of Life Care Programme

Course Content

This programme explores the key principles of palliative and end of life care, improving support for people living towards the end of their life with long-term or terminal conditions (Assistive & Registration levels, NHSE 2025).

The programme is taught by experts and clinicians working in palliative and end of life care and you will be supported in practice by a work-based mentor.

Individual sessions cover the following topics:

• Spirituality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at end of life
• Loss Grief & Bereavement
• An overview of Advance Care Planning (including understanding the ReSPECT process)
• Supporting Care in the last days of life
• End of Life Care &  Dementia
• Difficult Conversations at the end of life
• Ethical Issues in Palliative Care
• Symptom Management Study Day- Pain, Breathlessness and Fatigue
• Symptom Management Study Day- Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation, Delirium, Terminal Agitation.

Candidates will be required to attend all sessions they are allocated to and complete each session and end of programme evaluations and a final written assessment. The programme is taught at an equivalent level to a level 5 qualification (e.g. diploma) and can be used as evidence for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Eligibility Criteria

This programme is ideal for registered health care professionals (band 4 and 5 or equivalent) who want to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence. This includes Registered Nurses, Nursing Associates, and Allied Health Care Professionals, who care for people with palliative and end of life needs.

Key Information

Programme Features:

• Learning will be offered through classroom and/or online sessions with interactive activities, scenario based simulation and discussions.
• Safe, respectful learning environment
• Flexible learning over 6 to 12 months – attend at your own pace
• Blended delivery, all sessions available virtually with some sessions also delivered in the classroom as an optional choice.
• Evidence based curriculum aligned with NHSE frameworks
• All sessions mapped to NHSE (2025) core capabilities (Assistive & Registration levels)
• Certification with recognition of taught and self-directed learning hours as well as level of completed assessment.

Practice mentor and academic supervisor support.

Dates

You can enrol on the programme to start in March 2026 or September 2026 . You are required to complete the programme within a year of starting.

Costs

£970 per person

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

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