Palliative Lead
Palliative lead training helps your team understand and implement their clinical responsibilities in end of life care. Delivered on-site by our experienced trainers.
About the course
Understand and implement clinical responsibilities in end of life care
By the end of the course, delegates will:
- Know the principles of care for a dying person
- Understand your role and responsibilities surrounding end of life
- Be aware of the symptoms that indicate that death is likely
- Know different ways to assess and monitor pain
- Be aware of considerations regarding end of life drugs
- Know different reasons that drugs may be administered
- Be aware of the use of syringe drivers at the end of life
- Recognise the risks of pressure ulcers
- Be aware of turning patients and reasons not to turn them
- Be aware of safeguarding issues surrounding pressure ulcer formation
- Know the importance of end of life nutrition and hydration
- Understand that patients may refuse nutrition and hydration
- Understand the importance of personal care
- Be aware of how personal care may change at the end of life
What you’ll cover
Full course content
Everything the course covers, exactly as our trainers deliver it:
End of life care
- Principles of care for the dying person
- Responsibilities
- Understanding the role of healthcare professionals
- Palliative care guidance and standards in Scotland
Pain
- Monitoring pain
- Assessing the level and intensity of pain
- The 0–10 scale and the visual scale
- Tools for assessing pain
- Medication and complementary therapies
- Adjuvant therapy
Clinical indicators by condition
- Look for general indicators of deteriorating health
- Review current care and care planning
- Cancer
- Heart/vascular disease
- Kidney disease
- Dementia/frailty
- Respiratory disease
- Liver disease
- Neurological disease
General care & observations
- Not eating or drinking
- Little or no swallow reflex
- Breathing changes
- The patient is sleepier than usual
- Agitation and restlessness
- Changes to skin colour
- Continence
- Eyes
Terminal phase & ‘just in case’ medications
- The terminal phase
- Signs that death has occurred
- The role of ‘just in case’ medications
Advance statements & DNACPR orders
- Advance statements
- DNACPR orders
Advance decisions & power of attorney
- Advance decisions (ADRT)
- Continuing power of attorney
- Welfare power of attorney
- Wills
For pain & syringe driver
- Use diamorphine — opioid-naïve patient
- If already on opioids / on a patch
- Syringe driver
- Administering end of life drugs
- Responsibilities
Managing common symptoms
- Managing pain
- Managing breathlessness
- Managing nausea and vomiting
- Managing anxiety, delirium and agitation
- Managing noisy respiratory secretions
Pressure ulcers & warning signs
- Pressure ulcers
- SSKIN bundle
- Warning signs
- Wheelchair users
- People confined to a bed
- Wound categories
Nutrition and hydration
- Artificial nutrition and hydration
- Continuation and refusal of treatment
Identifying residents & confirmation of death
- Identifying residents for a palliative care approach
- Confirmation of death
Governance, quality & support
- Duty of Candour and learning from significant events
- Quality assurance and self-evaluation
- Education, training and professional networks
- Supporting staff wellbeing
Keep exploring
Related clinical courses
These subjects sit naturally alongside this course — and we can combine courses into one visit.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Where is the training delivered?
All of our training is delivered on-site at your service, anywhere in the UK — we come to you, so there are no travel costs or venue hire for your team.
How long is the Palliative Lead course?
It runs as a full day – 6 hours course, delivered in one visit unless stated otherwise.
How many delegates can attend?
Up to 15 delegates per session.
Do delegates receive a certificate?
Yes — every delegate receives a certificate on completion. Certificates are valid for 1 year, so plan refresher training before they expire.
How much does the course cost?
We price every course on application, based on your dates, location and delegate numbers. Use the contact buttons below — we reply quickly with a quote.
Can we combine courses into one visit?
Yes. Many clients build a full training day from shorter courses, and we can deliver several subjects in one visit — just tell us what your team needs.
Do you only train care providers?
No. This course suits care & nursing homes, home care & domiciliary, supported living, day services, hospices. If your sector isn’t listed, ask — we’ll tailor the course to your setting.
Book this course
We bring Palliative Lead training to your service
Delivered on-site at your service, nationwide, with pricing on application. Tell us your dates and delegate numbers and we’ll reply quickly with a quote.
Part of our clinical training range. Also explore mandatory training and first aid courses.