The Global Palliative Doctors Network (GPDN) has grown from a small WhatsApp group into a worldwide community of over 700 physicians across 60+ countries, united by a shared commitment to connect, learn, and improve palliative care through collaboration and support.
When palliative care physician Ros Taylor reflected on the Global Palliative Doctors Network (GPDN) WhatsApp group, her words captured its essence —
five guiding principles for a happier life: being connected, staying curious, continuing to learn, giving knowledge and support, and keeping the mind active.
These principles lie at the heart of GPDN — a community built on connection, curiosity, and collective growth. What began as a simple WhatsApp chat among doctors has evolved into a global movement that transcends borders and brings together physicians dedicated to improving palliative care worldwide.
It all started in October 2024, when two palliative care physicians — Dr. Mujeeb Rahman (India) and Dr. Shafika Banoo (United Kingdom) — attended the Masterclass Course in Palliative Care in Kerala. They created a WhatsApp group to connect colleagues working in palliative care. Initially a space to share questions and experiences, it quickly became a vibrant hub of exchange and support.
Marie Cooper, Caroline Philips, Heather Richardson, Shafika Banoo.
Doctors from every continent joined in — discussing complex cases, offering advice, sharing ideas, and supporting one another through the challenges of their work. What emerged was more than a network; it was a sense of belonging — a global family united by compassion and purpose.
Members describe the GPDN WhatsApp group as a “global staffroom” — a place to offload, reflect, and exchange ideas. Within minutes of someone posting a question, responses arrive from across the world. Conversations range from clinical dilemmas to compassionate guidance on supporting a patient’s repatriation home. In these exchanges, borders fade, and every doctor is reminded that they are not alone, no matter how remote their setting or how demanding their day.
While WhatsApp proved a powerful starting point, it soon became clear that not all doctors could access the platform. For some, connectivity barriers made participation impossible — a challenge that felt at odds with the spirit of inclusion at the core of GPDN.
To bridge that gap, on 27 September 2025, the team launched the GPDN website — a new online platform that extends the network’s reach far beyond a single messaging app. The website serves as an inclusive hub for communication, learning, and collaboration, ensuring that any doctor, anywhere in the world, can connect, contribute, and grow alongside peers.
The GPDN is guided by a diverse and passionate team representing regions across the globe — including Mexico, South Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, the United States, and the Philippines. It also works closely with the Global Palliative Nursing Network, coordinated by St Christopher’s. Both St Christopher’s and the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM) recognise the importance of these networks in supporting clinicians and are committed to fostering their growth to help reduce inequities in end-of-life care around the world.
Across the globe, palliative care remains under-resourced and, in many places, misunderstood. Too often, patients and families face serious illness without the comfort, guidance, and dignity they deserve. By connecting professionals, sharing resources, and raising awareness, GPDN aims to change that reality. Every message, discussion, and new member strengthens a shared commitment to improving patient care — one connection at a time.
Today, the Global Palliative Doctors Network connects more than 700 doctors across over 60 countries — a testament to how shared purpose can grow from the simplest beginnings. From a handful of messages on WhatsApp to a thriving international community, the GPDN story is proof that when doctors connect, learn, and support one another, the ripple effect can reach far beyond screens — transforming care, one conversation at a time.
If you’d like to learn more about GPDN, we invite you to explore our website at thegpdn.org. And if you’re a physician involved in palliative care, be sure to join our WhatsApp group to stay connected and share insights with fellow professionals.
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ehospice Editor’s note: ehospice is proud to announce that Dr Ros Taylor, mentioned in the opening paragraph of this article, was recently appointed as Chair of ehospice.
The lead photo is from the 2024 Masterclass in Kerala, where the idea for GPDN was born
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