This programme has been developed to enable healthcare and allied professionals to engage with both theoretical and practice elements in the study of Palliative and End of Life Care at Masters Level The programme is led by Dr Stephen Mason (Academic Lead) and Professor John Ellershaw (Clinical Lead), and supported by input from Specialist Clinicians, Senior Academics and an International Faculty. 

Designed for all healthcare and allied professionals who support patients with life limiting illness (gerontology, respiratory, oncology, cardiology), including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, you will develop critical understanding of the evidence that underpins the practice and development of Palliative and End of Life Care services. Work-based learning placements within specialist palliative care settings will provide you with the opportunity to contextualise learning within the programme. You will also undertake Advanced Communication Skills Training, delivered by internationally renowned experts, and designed to develop and enhance skills to address challenges frequently encountered in practice.

The curriculum will encourage you to consider how good practice can be achieved across a number of different practice settings and apply learning to your own practice area. This programme is rooted in the core elements of good practice, engaging clinical, academic, organisational, political and international perspectives on the current and future challenges for Palliative and End of Life Care.

This programme will prepare and provide you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop into, and engage in senior clinical and/or leadership roles within regional, national and international contexts. The programme aims to facilitate learning experiences that will promote improvements in the care delivered to patients and families, enhance support provided to colleagues, enable effective team working within and across professions and sectors, and highlight the pressures of organisation structures and resources on service delivery.

On completion of the programme, students will have an in-depth, critical understanding of the evidence that underpins the practice and development of Palliative and End of Life Care, across a range of practice contexts, including local, national and international spheres. Additionally, students will be equipped to identify both strengths and weaknesses within the evidence base, and be able to develop novel approaches to address these and contribute to this developing field. This understanding will be within a critical appreciation of the role of policy development in facilitating changes within practice, and service delivery/ organisational structures.