All things Palliative and End of Life Care - Training Opportunities for 2025-26
Overview of Palliative Care Training and Development Opportunities
Please see below a list of Hospice's across Hertfordshire and West Essex which offer an education programme. Please use the links under each hospice to find out more.
If the course is listed as free, please use the booking link, for courses with a cost, please submit a Funding Request Form.
The Hospice of St Francis
To find out more about their training and development opportunities visit: Programme of Events | Book a Course | The Hospice of St Francis
Course | Date & Time | Delivery | Cost | Booking link |
Advanced Communication Skills Training Course (2 Days) | 4th June 2025 to Thursday 5th June 2025 | Online | £500 | pre requisite course required-contact HoSF for details: education@stfrancis.org.uk Booking process below |
Bereavement, Loss & Grief - Introduction | 4th June 2025 09:30-12:30 | Online via Zoom | £15.00 | Booking process below |
Intermediate Communication Skills Training - Having Sensitive Conversations within the Context of Palliative and End of Life Care | 5th June 2025 9:30 am - 4:00 pm | Online | £25.00 | Booking process below |
AHP Bite Size Learning: All things groupwork - How to develop and run successful therapeutic groups | 19th June 2025 | Online | £10.00 | Booking process below |
Prepared to Care? Supporting Patients with Mental Health & Palliative Care Needs Level 1 | 19th June 2025 9:30 am to 4:30 pm | The Hospice of St Francis, Spring Garden Lane, BERKHAMSTED, Herts HP4 3GW | FREE | |
Why is Palliative Care Relevant in the Homeless Community | 24th June 2025 - 02:30-16:30pm | Face to Face at The Hospice of St Francis HP4 3GW | FREE | Click to book Why is Palliative Care Relevant in the Homeless Community | The Hospice of St. Francis |
Advanced Communication Skills Training Course (2 Days) | 1st July 2025 to Wednesday 2nd July 2025 | Online | £500 | Please note: pre requisite course required-contact HoSF for details: education@stfrancis.org.ukBooking process below |
Masterclass - Understanding Cancer Related Cognitive Impairment | 2th July 2025 12:00-13:30 | Online | £15 | Booking process below |
Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Online | 10th July 2025 9:30 am - 1:00 pm | Online | FREE | Click to book Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Online | The Hospice of St. Francis |
Palliative Care Overview for Ambulance Clinicians | 12th August 2025 09:30 - 12:30 | Online | FREE | Click to book Palliative Care Overview for Ambulance Clinicians | The Hospice of St. Francis |
European Certification in Essential Palliative Care (ECEPC) | Autumn 2025: 8 September - 12 November 2025 | Online | £600 | Booking process below |
Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) | 4th September 2025 09:30-13:00 | Online | FREE | Click to book Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Face to Face | The Hospice of St. Francis |
Intermediate Communication Skills Training - Having Sensitive Conversations within the Context of Palliative and End of Life Care | 11th September 2025 9:30 am - 4:00 pm | Online | £25.00 | https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/education-learning/programme-of-events/education-events/intermediate-communication-skills-training-having-sensitive-conversations-within-the-context-of-palliative-and-end-of-life-care more information only (please do not book via this link see Booking process below) |
Talking ACP and DNACPR - A Practical Approach | 17th September 2025 09:30-12:30 | Online | FREE | Click to book Talking ACP and DNACPR - A Practical Approach | The Hospice of St. Francis |
Advanced Communication Skills Training Course (2 days) | 17-18 Sept 2025 | Online | £600 | pre requisite course required-contact HoSF for details: education@stfrancis.org.uk https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/education-learning/programme-of-events/education-events/advanced-communication-skills-training-course-2-days (link for information only, to book please see Booking process below) |
Palliative Care Development Programme (PCDP) | Autumn 2025: 23rd September 2025 - 3rd December 2025 | Online | £250 | Booking process below |
Advanced Communication Skills Training Course (2 days) | 7-8 Oct 2025 | Online | £600 | pre requisite course required-contact HoSF for details: education@stfrancis.org.uk https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/education-learning/programme-of-events/education-events/advanced-communication-skills-training-course-2-days (link for information only, to book please see Booking process below) |
Advanced Communication Skills Training Course (2 days) | 12-13 Nov 2025 | Online | £600 | pre requisite course required-contact HoSF for details: education@stfrancis.org.uk https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/education-learning/programme-of-events/education-events/advanced-communication-skills-training-course-2-days (link for information only, to book please see Booking process below) |
Advanced Communication Skills Training Course (2 days) | 3-4 Dec 2025 | Online | £600 | pre requisite course required-contact HoSF for details: education@stfrancis.org.uk https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/education-learning/programme-of-events/education-events/advanced-communication-skills-training-course-2-days (link for information only, to book please see Booking process below) |
Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Face to Face | 4th December 2025 09:30 - 1:00pm | In person Acorn Suite, The Hospice of St Francis HP4 3GW | FREE | Click to book Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Face to Face | The Hospice of St. Francis |
Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Online | 4th December 2025
9:30 am - 1:00 pm | Online | FREE | Click to book Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Online | The Hospice of St. Francis |
The Hospice of St Francis
Spring Garden Lane,
Berkhamsted
HP4 3GW
How to apply for funding and apply for this course
Please complete the MS Form available at the following link: Funding Request MS Form
The Training Hub will review and respond to your funding request. If funding is approved, it will be your responsibility to book your place on the course you wish to attend, we will provide the instructions to do this. Applications will be reviewed in order of the course date (soonest courses first) and date received. If you have any questions, please contact us at hwetraininghub@nhs.net.
Please note, you will need to send us your booking confirmation within 1 week of your funding being approved as places are limited. Failure to do this will result in your funding being withdrawn and you will need to reapply.
Course cost
If your funding request is approved the Training Hub will cover the full cost of this course.
Garden House Hospice
To find out more about their training and development opportunities visit: Learning and development | Professionals | Garden House Hospice Care (ghhospicecare.org.uk)
3rd June 2025, 12.30 – 14.00 | The Learning Zone – Heart Failure: The Basics – Comfort Measures | Online | Open to all | Free | Garden House Hospice Care | |
26th June 2025, 09.30 – 16.30 | ReSPECT & DNACPR Competencies for Senior Staff (for sign off competencies) | Garden House Hospice Care, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1QU | Those who wish to extend their role to include DNACPR competencies e.g. nurse specialists, community matrons, senior sisters etc. who are having this in-depth conversation about DNACPR. Please note, conditions apply – please click on booking link for further details | £25 | Garden House Hospice Care | |
2nd July 2025, 10.30 – 12.30 | Frailty Training | Online via Teams | Clinical professionals involved with patients over the age of 18, who may have received a diagnosis of frailty, or may require an assessment of frailty | £10 | Garden House Hospice Care | |
2nd September 2025, 12.30 – 14.00 | The Learning Zone – Heart Failure: Symptom Control (Drug Management) | Online via Teams | Open to all | Free | Garden House Hospice Care | |
15th September 2025, 10.30 – 12.30 | Advance Care Planning & ReSPECT | Online via Teams | Health and social care professionals working in a hospice, acute setting or community setting who require an introduction to advance care planning. Care Home staff should please contact Isabel Hospice for this training | £10 | Garden House Hospice Care | |
23rd September 2025, 10.30 – 12.30 | Oral Care at End of Life | Online via Teams | All health and social care professionals who deliver end of life care and wish to increase their knowledge and confidence in this area | £10 | Garden House Hospice Care |
Garden House Hospice Care,
Gillison Close,
Letchworth Garden City
SG6 1QU
How to apply for funding and apply for this course
Please complete the MS Form available at the following link: Funding Request MS Form
The Training Hub will review and respond to your funding request. If funding is approved, it will be your responsibility to book your place on the course you wish to attend, we will provide the instructions to do this. Applications will be reviewed in order of the course date (soonest courses first) and date received. If you have any questions, please contact us at hwetraininghub@nhs.net.
Please note, you will need to send us your booking confirmation within 1 week of your funding being approved as places are limited. Failure to do this will result in your funding being withdrawn and you will need to reapply.
Course cost
If your funding request is approved the Training Hub will cover the full cost of this course.
Isabel Hospice
To find out more about their training and development opportunities visit: Training - Isabel Hospice
28th May 2025, 14.00 – 16.00 | Start the Conversation Workshop | Online | These 2-hour online workshops to help start the conversation about death and dying are open to all, including members of the public | Free | Isabel Hospice | |
4th June 2025, 09.30 – 15.00 | Intermediate Communication Skills | Online via Teams | An intermediate course which builds on foundation level communication skills training to develop increased confidence in communicating with patients and families in the arena of palliative care | £25 | HCT/Isabel Hospice | HCT staff should please book via education@isabelhospice.org.uk
All other applicants should please book here |
5th June 2025, 09.30 – 13.00 | Advance Care Planning & ReSPECT | Online via Zoom | Health and social care professionals working in a hospice, acute setting or community setting who require an introduction to advance care planning. Care Home staff should please contact Isabel Hospice for this training | £10 | Isabel Hospice | |
12th June 2025, 09.30 – 17.00 | Compassionate Neighbours (East Hertfordshire) | Living Well with Isabel Community Hub, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4PH | Compassionate Neighbours with Isabel Hospice offers friendship & companionship to anybody who feels lonely or isolated across East Hertfordshire over the age of 18. Open to all | Free | Isabel Hospice | For more information or to book a space, please contact Kharlie.staves@isabelhospice.org.uk |
19th June 2025, 09.30 – 14.00 | Introduction to Palliative Care for Non-Clinicians | Online via Zoom | Any non-clinical staff who support palliative patients in their role. This may be as a receptionist, secretary or admin staff working within a clinical setting. It may be as a fundraiser or other non-clinical staff who work in a hospice setting who wants to gain a better understanding of what palliative care is. This course is also open to anyone working in a religious setting who may support anyone receiving palliative care | Free | Isabel Hospice | |
19th June 2025, 09.30 – 16.30 | Prepared to Care? Supporting Patients with Mental Health & Palliative Care Needs – Level 1 | Hospice of St Francis, Spring Garden Lane, Off Shootersway, Berkhamsted, HP4 3GW | Open to all mental health or generalist/palliative care staff who want an introduction into this important area of care | Free | HPFT, Isabel Hospice, Hospice of St Francis | To book, please email education@isabelhospice.org.uk |
24th June 2025, 10.00 – 16.00 | Passionate About Palliative Care Student Day | Online via Zoom | All health and social care pre-qualification students of nursing, medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, paramedics, art therapies and health related studies | Free | Isabel Hospice | |
24th June 2025, 18.00 – 20.00 | Start the Conversation Workshop | Online | These 2-hour online workshops to help start the conversation about death and dying are open to all, including members of the public | Free | Isabel Hospice | |
1st July 2025, 13.30 – 14.30 | The Learning Zone – Complex Case Studies | Online via Zoom | Open to all | Free | Isabel Hospice | |
11th July 2025, 09.30 – 12.30 | Sage & Thyme (Foundation Communication Skills) | Online via Zoom | Suitable for anyone working in any health and social care setting at any level, either clinical or non-clinical, who speak to people who are upset or worried | £20 | Isabel Hospice |
HCT staff should book directly via education@isabelhospice.org.uk |
18th July 2025, 09.30 – 17.00 | Compassionate Neighbours (East Hertfordshire) | Living Well with Isabel Community Hub, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4PH | Compassionate Neighbours with Isabel Hospice offers friendship & companionship to anybody who feels lonely or isolated across East Hertfordshire over the age of 18. Open to all | Free | Isabel Hospice | For more information or to book a space, please contact Kharlie.staves@isabelhospice.org.uk |
24th July 2025, 10.30 – 12.30 | Start the Conversation Workshop | Online via Zoom | These 2-hour online workshops to help start the conversation about death and dying are open to all, including members of the public | Free | Isabel Hospice | |
21st August 2025, 14.00 – 16.00 | Start the Conversation Workshop | Online via Zoom | These 2-hour online workshops to help start the conversation about death and dying are open to all, including members of the public | Free | Isabel Hospice | |
9th September 2025, 09.30 – 15.30 | Level 1 Psychological Assessment Skills | Online via Zoom | Open to all healthcare professionals. It will specifically be of interest to those who feel a need to improve their confidence in this area | £20 | Isabel Hospice | |
16th September 2025, 09.30 – 12.30 | Sage & Thyme (Foundation Communication Skills) | Online via Zoom | Suitable for anyone working in any health and social care setting at any level, either clinical or non-clinical, who speak to people who are upset or worried | £20 | Isabel Hospice |
HCT staff should book directly via education@isabelhospice.org.uk |
23rd September 2025, 09.30 – 15.00 | Essential or Difficult Conversations for Experienced Staff (Intermediate) | Online via Teams | An intermediate course which builds on foundation level communication skills training to develop increased confidence in communicating with patients and families in the arena of palliative care | £25 | HCT/Isabel Hospice |
HCT staff should book directly via education@isabelhospice.org.uk |
24th September 2025, 18.00 – 20.00 | Start the Conversation Workshop | Online via Zoom | These 2-hour online workshops to help start the conversation about death and dying are open to all, including members of the public | Free | Isabel Hospice | |
26th September 2025, 09.30 – 17.00 | Compassionate Neighbours (East Hertfordshire) | Living Well with Isabel Community Hub, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4PH | Compassionate Neighbours with Isabel Hospice offers friendship & companionship to anybody who feels lonely or isolated across East Hertfordshire over the age of 18. Open to all | Free | Isabel Hospice | For more information or to book a space, please contact Kharlie.staves@isabelhospice.org.uk |
Thursday 6th November 2025, 09.30 – 16.30 | Prepared to Care? Supporting Patients with Mental Health & Palliative Care Needs – LEVEL 1 | Isabel Hospice Head Office, 99 Bridge Road East, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1GD | Open to all mental health or generalist/palliative care staff who want an introduction into this important area of care | Free | Isabel Hospice | To book, please email education@isabelhospice.org.uk |
Isabel Hospice
99 Bridge Road East,
Welwyn Garden City
AL7 1GD
How to apply for funding and apply for this course
Please complete the MS Form available at the following link: Funding Request MS Form
The Training Hub will review and respond to your funding request. If funding is approved, it will be your responsibility to book your place on the course you wish to attend, we will provide the instructions to do this. Applications will be reviewed in order of the course date (soonest courses first) and date received. If you have any questions, please contact us at hwetraininghub@nhs.net.
Please note, you will need to send us your booking confirmation within 1 week of your funding being approved as places are limited. Failure to do this will result in your funding being withdrawn and you will need to reapply.
Course cost
If your funding request is approved the Training Hub will cover the full cost of this course.
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice
To find out more about their training and development opportunities visit: Rennie Grove courses in palliative care (renniegrovepeace.org)
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice
Peace Drive
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD17 3PH
How to apply for funding and apply for this course
Please complete the MS Form available at the following link: Funding Request MS Form
The Training Hub will review and respond to your funding request. If funding is approved, it will be your responsibility to book your place on the course you wish to attend, we will provide the instructions to do this. Applications will be reviewed in order of the course date (soonest courses first) and date received. If you have any questions, please contact us at hwetraininghub@nhs.net.
Please note, you will need to send us your booking confirmation within 1 week of your funding being approved as places are limited. Failure to do this will result in your funding being withdrawn and you will need to reapply.
Course cost
If your funding request is approved the Training Hub will cover the full cost of this course.
St Clare Hospice
To find out more about their training and development opportunities visit: Education & training - St Clare Hospice
St Clare Hospice Palliative Care Conference 2025
The third St Clare Hospice Palliative Care Conference will take place on Friday 10th October 2025.
The conference will be an opportunity to learn from experts across a broad range of disciplines and healthcare settings, including hospitals, community, care homes and hospices.
To register your interest and receive priority early-bird booking notifications, click here.
Masterclasses in palliative care: lunchtime learning for professionals
Following on from the success of the first series of Masterclass sessions, we’re delighted to be extending this programme of lunchtime lectures for professionals working in health and social care in our local community. Our new masterclass sessions will cover a variety of topics, from pressure sores in palliative care to taking a public health approach.
The hour-long sessions take place on the second Thursday of every month starting at 1pm. Click on the links below for more information and to book your place.
Date | Topic | Facilitator |
|---|---|---|
12th June 2025 |
Dr Arjun Kingdon and CNS Sam Taylor
| |
10th July 2025 |
Dr Ros Marvin and CNS Emma Michael
| |
11th September 2025 |
Dr Enam Khan and CNS Irene O’Dell
| |
9th October 2025 |
CNS Lynne Hooper & CNS Emma Michael
| |
13th November 2025 |
Therapists Katy Felgate & Alexandra Smith
| |
11th December 2025 |
Dr Arjun Kingdon and CNS Joanne Turner
|
If you have any questions, or difficulties booking a place, please contact: education@stclarehospice.org.uk
Advanced Communications Skills Training
Our two-day Advanced Communications Skills Training course is relevant for registered health professionals working with patients at the end of their life. Ten CPD credit points have been approved for this course by the Royal Colleges of Physicians.
National policy and research continues to emphasise the importance of effective communication skills for health and social care professionals. The positive impact on the experience of care and the wider organisation is well documented. This well evaluated, two day experiential course explores challenging communication issues from the participant’s practice.
Our training days in 2025 are on:
15th & 16th October
To register your interest in our 2025 courses, please email education@stclarehospice.org.uk
End of Life Care webinars and seminars
We run end-of-life care webinars and seminars for our generalist and new palliative care colleagues working in West Essex and East Hertfordshire on a regular basis. These interactive lectures cover:
Choosing to Care for Palliative Care Patients
Pain management
Managing Delirium and Terminal Agitation in Palliative Care
Psychological issues
Advance care planning
Use of syringe drivers
Care of the dying patient
Ethical issues
Our June seminar is being delivered face-to-face by our St Clare clinical team at GreenAcres Memorial Park in Epping on 18th June 2025. To download the provisional agenda and to book your place, click here.
Our December webinar is taking place online via Teams on 15th December 2025. To book, click here.
Advance Care Planning/Care of the Dying study afternoon
This face-to-face study session has been designed to equip regional healthcare professionals to initiate Advance Care Planning (ACP) discussions skillfully and in a timely manner, and to use the most appropriate ACP documentation available to their practice.
The second half of this study session will focus on caring for dying patients. The goals of care during the last days and hours of life are to ensure comfort and dignity. But, quite often identifying when patients are at this stage of life can be challenging for healthcare professionals.
With this in mind, our study afternoon here at St Clare Hospice will address topics including:
Initiating ACP discussions
Using key ACP documentation, such as ReSPECT and P(e)ACE templates
Diagnosing dying
Medication consideration in the last days/weeks of life
2025 Dates
Wednesday 12th November – 1.30pm to 5pm
For more information about this study afternoon, please email training@stclarehospice.org.uk
Introduction to Namaste Care workshops
Namaste Care is an internationally-recognised person-centred approach to supporting people who are living with advanced dementia by engaging them in therapeutic, multi-sensory activities that promote wellbeing and quality of life.
Our Introduction to Namaste Care workshops teach people how to apply Namaste Care techniques through the use of everyday items and resources that engage a person’s senses through sound, touch, smell, taste and sight. All of which can help someone with dementia to remain connected to others by focusing on their emotional and physical needs.
These activities may include:
offering gentle touch, e.g. through hand massage
playing favourite music
making and looking through a memory box
reading favourite books and poems
encouraging gentle movement
Our next Introduction to Namaste Care workshops are taking place on the following dates, either here at the Hospice or online via Zoom. They are open to people caring for a relative or friend with dementia, as well as to care homes and other paid care staff:
For more information, or to book your place, please email namastecare@stclarehospice.org.uk or call 01279 594471.
DNACPR Study Day
Our practical DNACPR Study Day has been developed in partnership with Essex Partnership University NHS Trust (EPUT) to support senior clinicians in the local region to develop their competence and confidence in leading Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) discussions.
Delivered in person at the Hospice, clinicians will have the opportunity to practice DNACPR conversations in a safe environment, and learn through the process of feedback and self-assessment techniques. It will also be used as part of a wider competency training package ratified by provider organisations to enable senior clinicians to formally take on the role of Senior Responsible Officer in relation to DNACPR.
2025 Dates
Tuesday 23rd September – 9am to 5pm
Admission onto this study day is by invitation only. For more information, please contact training@stclarehospice.org.uk
ECEPC Course Dates for 2025
Course start: 8th September
Assessment day: 12th November
Registering for the ECEPC with St Clare
To register for the Autumn 2025 course, click here to complete the online registration form and select ‘STCL’ as your chosen site.
For more information on taking part in the ECEPC , get in touch with our Course Administrator Sam Haythorpe on 01279 773700 or email ecepc@stclarehospice.org.uk.
For more information click here
St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood Road,
Hastingwood, Essex, CM17 9JX
How to apply for funding and apply for this course
Please complete the MS Form available at the following link: Funding Request MS Form
The Training Hub will review and respond to your funding request. If funding is approved, it will be your responsibility to book your place on the course you wish to attend, we will provide the instructions to do this. Applications will be reviewed in order of the course date (soonest courses first) and date received. If you have any questions, please contact us at hwetraininghub@nhs.net.
Please note, you will need to send us your booking confirmation within 1 week of your funding being approved as places are limited. Failure to do this will result in your funding being withdrawn and you will need to reapply.
Course cost
If your funding request is approved the Training Hub will cover the full cost of this course.
Documents to support - Palliative Care and Mental Health training sessions on the 1st June 2025
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