Complex Needs, Compassionate Care: A Palliative Skills Training Day
Course description
This one-day, in-person training event is designed to support the afore-mentioned target audience who work with patients with palliative care needs and those at the end of life on a regular basis. With a blended format combining didactic teaching, clinical updates and immersive scenario-based learning, the day develops knowledge, confidence and interprofessional collaboration in managing complex and urgent situations in palliative care.
The programme is grounded in current clinical best practices and aligned with the competencies expected of professionals working in palliative care. The event provides a structured yet flexible opportunity for attendees to enhance their practical skills and reflective practice.
Unlike most training programs, this course delivers simulation-based palliative care education within real healthcare environments, giving frontline staff access to high-quality experiential learning typically reserved for specialist teams.
It uniquely combines realistic scenarios, structured reflection and hands-on skills practice, empowering participants to act with confidence and compassion in complex or urgent situations. Its interprofessional design promotes shared learning across roles and sectors - enhancing communication, collaboration, and continuity of care.
Topics covered
An overview and exploration of caring for transition patients in palliative care
Gastrointestional inverventions including PEG/Jejunostomy care
An overview of Non-Invasive Ventilation and withdrawal in specialist settings
Motor Neurone Disease/ Advanced Neurological conditions in palliative care
Advanced Care Planning
A wide range of practical scenario-based learning in palliative care emergencies
Course facilitators
The course is facilitated by Helen Smith, Nurse Consultant in Palliative Care at St Luke’s, and Connor Browne, Lead for Learning & Development at St Luke’s.
With over 20 years in palliative care, Helen has supported both paediatric and adult patients across community and hospice settings, gaining deep expertise in complex, compassionate care.She spent three years in Romania working with children and young people living with HIV/AIDS, broadening her skills in supporting vulnerable populations. A Queen’s Nurse since 2015, Helen leads St Luke’s transition programme, ensuring smooth care pathways from paediatric to adult services. She also drives initiatives to improve palliative care for homeless individuals in Sheffield, working closely with local support services. Alongside clinical work, Helen is a Principal Investigator supporting national research projects looking at ways to support homeless people with palliative care needs and, delivers training to raise awareness of the unique needs of marginalised groups.
Connor qualified as a nurse in 2012 and has over 10 years’ experience in specialist palliative care across community and inpatient settings. His clinical background underpins a strong commitment to person-centred care. Passionate about education, he is completing an MSc in Clinical Education, with a focus on interprofessional learning. For the past four years, Connor has led Learning & Development at St Luke’s, driving workforce development through clinical skills programmes and collaborative training initiatives. Blending clinical expertise with educational leadership, Connor promotes a culture of continuous learning, ensuring staff are equipped to deliver high-quality care across the hospice and wider health system.
Together, Helen and Connor bring a wealth of clinical, educational and leadership expertise, creating an engaging and supportive learning environment for professionals seeking to enhance their confidence and capability in palliative care.
Payment terms
All course fees must be paid prior to attendance. Standard payment terms are 30 days from the date of invoice, or before the start of the course if the course date falls sooner.
Cancellation Policy
Please note that once a booking has been made and payment received, course fees are non-refundable.
KEY INFORMATION
Suitable for:
- Clinical staff working with patients with specialist palliative care needs
- Registered Adult Nurses and Healthcare Assistants (any band/level) working with patients with palliative care needs.
- Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and junior doctors working in or entering specialist palliative settings
- Staff in the NHS, hospice and social care sectors.
Course type:
Face to face, simulation-based learning
Delivery mode:
Classroom
Location:
St Luke's Hospice,
Little Common Lane,
Sheffield,
S11 9NE
Duration:
1 Day / 7.5 Hours (9am - 4:30pm)
CPD credits:
6.5
Cost:
£175 per person (including VAT)
Catering facilities:
Onsite facilities at own cost
Application status:
Available dates:
Our courses
Read more about the courses we have available by visiting the main Wilkes webpage below. To speak to us about partnering on a new course, or support with course delivery please email wilkes@hospicesheffield.co.uk
Education and CoursesContact us
To get in touch about the St Luke's Wilkes Institute, speak to us about partnering on a new course, or to support with course delivery, please email us at wilkes@hospicesheffield.co.uk
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