Palliative Care (Top-Up)

BSc (Hons)

Part-Time

Lindsay Stone

BSc (Hons) Palliative Care at St Helena Hospice (a partner college of Anglia Ruskin University)

“The course far exceeded my expectations. It made me think back to the reflective practitioner I always should be and ensured evidence based practice. I was able to come away and change my workplace practice and was empowered to by the tutors. The children and bereavement module was particularly interesting as it made me really think about complicated grief, grief theories and how the practitioner has an essential role after a child has died. My colleagues and tutors from the course continue to be a resource and this is essential to palliative care.
”

Course overview

Palliative care is a recognised speciality across the world. Palliative and End of Life Care is now firmly integrated into health and social care in the UK and continues to develop to offer services to patients with any life-limiting illness. The Palliative care courses at Anglia Ruskin University provide a recognised qualification for any registered health and social care professional wishing to deliver Palliative and End of Life Care.

The Palliative care courses have been specifically designed for the varying needs of busy practitioners working in differing clinical settings across the country. They have been designed for professionals who wish to gain expertise in the management of patients with life-limiting illnesses, and emphasises the unique contribution made by each discipline involved in palliative care. A major aim in the teaching programme is to encourage thought and discussion and equip students with the knowledge and skills to provide an evidence-based approach to problems in palliative care.

The attitudes and skills acquired should be of lasting value beyond specific advances in therapy and management. A holistic approach to patient care is adopted throughout with an emphasis on reflective practice where the student is encouraged to consider all aspects of care. Books, articles and resources from the internet are used for the study of different topics in Palliative and End of Life Care. Students will be directed to relevant, recommended and themed reading.

When you graduate, you will be able to assess the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of palliative care patients and their families, and devise interventions to meet those needs. You will be able to apply research findings to inform and evaluate your decision-making. On successful completion of the course, you will be able to utilise specialist knowledge and skills to ensure that all care is carried out within a robust professional, legal and ethical framework.

Additional course information

On successful completion of the course you will be expected to be able to:

  • critically analyse the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of palliative care patients and their families/loved ones and devise interventions to meet your needs.
  • utilise specialist knowledge and skills to ensure that all care is carried out within an appropriate professional/legal/ethical framework.
  • critically apply research findings and use appropriate research methodologies to inform and evaluate ethical decision making.
  • it will enable you to act as a specialist within palliative and end of life care by recognising and utilising specialist skills and demonstrating sound leadership to promote high-quality care for patients and their families/loved ones.
  • utilise leadership skills to act as a resource for professional development of colleagues through mentorship and clinical supervision, thus promoting standards of care through the dissemination of good practice by participating in professional development and teaching.
Core modules
  • Symptom Management in Palliative Care

    The module will provide students with the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of effective pain and symptom relief strategies. The concept of total pain will also be considered, as will the associated notion of suffering. The module is designed for practitioners who work with palliative care patients in any clinical and/or supportive care setting. The module will include information on pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches and will highlight the value of the multi-disciplinary team. On completion the student will be able to apply in-depth knowledge to the management of pain and symptoms in palliative and end of life care, in a multidisciplinary approach and apply strategies to improve the quality of life.

  • Facing Death: Patients, Families and Professionals

    In this module some of the psychosocial and spiritual dimensions of patients' encounters with death are explored, contemplating the potential for multiple losses and grief and also the possibility of growth and transcendence at this time. Holistic care within multi-disciplinary practice is examined. The module will consider the support and care needs for all involved: patients who face their own death and families, carers and professionals who care for them. The module explores theory related to death, loss and bereavement, addresses counselling and communication skills and considers the importance of the caring relationship to patients, lay and professional carers. It includes the patient's network of relationships, their dynamics and their role in care provision.

  • Undergraduate Major Project

    The individual final project module will allow students to engage in a substantial piece of individual work and/or product development, focused on a topic relevant to their specific discipline. The topic may be drawn from a variety of sources including: Anglia Ruskin research groups, previous/current work experience, the company in which you are currently employed, an Anglia Ruskin lecturer suggested topic or a professional subject of your specific interest (if suitable supervision is available). The project topic will be assessed for suitability to ensure sufficient academic challenge and satisfactory supervision by an academic member of staff.

Assessment

30-credit module - 6000-word essay. This might include case-study analysis; self-directed study; evidence of competency in a portfolio format; critical analysis of audio-taped patient interviews; critical analysis of patient narratives; written assignment in essay format.

Other forms of assessment include: the use of small-group work; case-study analysis; didactic delivery; plenary session; visiting speakers; interactive sessions; self-directed study; debate forums; tutorials; evidence of competency in a portfolio format; critical analysis of audio-taped patient interviews; written case study analysis; critical analysis of patient narratives; written assignment in essay format; observed practical examination.

Facilities

The BSc (Hons) Palliative Care is delivered at St Helena's Hospice, Myland Hall, Colchester, which is a partner of Anglia Ruskin University. The Hospice is a specialist palliative care unit with a full complement of specialist practitioners involved in the care and support of patients and families with advanced disease, as well as the dying and bereaved.

All students on this course are able to access all the advantages of this specialist unit together with those of the whole university.

Anglia Ruskin University is the largest provider of health and social care education in the East of England and the prestigious Postgraduate Medical Institute in Chelmsford was built in collaboration with the Essex Workforce Development Confederation.

Our learning and teaching strategies include: the use of small group work, case study analysis, didactic delivery, plenary session, visiting speakers, interactive sessions, self-directed study, debate forums and tutorials.

Further details can be obtained from cdalling@sthelenahospice.org.uk or 01206 851560.


Special features

- St Helena's Hospice has a National reputation for excellence in Palliative Care - the Palliative Care educators at the Hospice not only offer up-to date clinical expertise but a sizeable portfolio of recent research and publications. (Griffith S, (2012) Improving practice using action research: resolving the problem of kinking with non-metal cannulae. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 17(11) p531-536; Moss B (2012) (In partnership with the National End of Life Care Programme) The Route to success in end of life care - achieving quality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Click here for this report.

- The University offers a competitive fee for students accessing Palliative care courses.

- Modules may be accessed flexibly as stand- alone options as well as part of the Degree course.

- The Team at St Helena Hospice offer valuable Face-to-Face teaching from expert clinicians, tutorial support as well as a rich and varied amount of audio-visual, e-learning materials.

On completion students should be able to enhance their clinical service delivered to patients and families by developing practice, offering expertise in pain, symptom management and complex decision making. The completed student should also offer a highly developed understanding of ethical and legal issues in relation to Palliative care, understand inter-professional models of team work and demonstrate advanced communication skills. Furthermore they should be in a position to act as a local facilitator for further educational and research developments in palliative care in their locality.

Click here to see our student case studies.

Associated careers

Provides a better opportunity to be promoted at a higher grade and be recognised as a specialist nurse practitioner in the palliative care setting. It also facilitates students to further their nursing education at Masters level or above.
Entry requirements listed are for September 2013 entry. Entry requirements for other intakes may differ.

Entry requirements

Applicants must be registered practitioners within a care discipline. Candidates who can provide evidence of prior certificated and/or experiential learning may be admitted with credit to a maximum of 210 generic study.

How to apply

Location

  • St Helena Hospice

Duration

Up to 4 years

Teaching times*

Mondays /Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Myland Hall, Colchester

Available starts

September and January

Student finance

Open Day

Saturday 22 June
Undergraduate Open Day

Advice & support

Employability

Faculty

Health, Social Care & Education

Department

Primary and Public Health

Contact us

UK and EU applicants:International applicants:

 

*Teaching days and times are for guidance only and are subject to change each academic year. We advise all applicants to wait until they are in receipt of their timetable before making arrangements around their course times.

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