The year-long study programme – which begins in May – is aimed at anyone working or volunteering in the health and social care sector, and will further develop knowledge and skills in end of life care and practices.
Sue Clayton, Clinical Educator at St Catherine’s Hospice, who will be delivering the training with experienced lecturers from the college, said: “It is important to spread our skills and widen the reach of the hospice to more people. This helps ensure peoples’ wishes and preferences are met wherever possible, and raises standards in end of life care.
“We’re delighted to be working with Preston’s College in this innovative new approach, which gives this important area of care the merit it deserves in the form of an official qualification.
“We hope the diploma will help foster a greater understanding of the implications and importance of providing specialised care to meet the physical, emotional, social and practical needs of individuals with life-limiting illness. Not only does this benefit patients, carers and loved ones, but is also a key factor in professional development – which, in turn, facilitates the development of a compassionate community.”
The diploma is based on modules from the highly successful and nationally recognised ‘Six Steps to Success’ programme, which has been delivered locally to health and social care professionals by St Catherine’s Hospice since 2011.
The new qualification is made up of a series of education workshops covering key areas of end of life care. These include looking at identifying the appropriate time to begin discussions about end of life care, formulating holistic care plans based on patients’ priorities and wishes, and learning about the importance of sharing information across the whole care team.
Other elements centre on learning about how to deliver care which maintains independence, choice and control for as long as possible, examining appropriate and relevant care steps in the last days of life, and identifying good practice in providing support to families following death.
Euan Cameron, Head of Health and Social Care at Preston’s College, said the qualification was an important addition to the college’s curriculum. “Having the opportunity to offer this qualification in partnership with St Catherine’s Hospice is a catalyst to providing exceptional specialist knowledge and skills in an area of particular sensitivity,” he said.
Sue added: “I am thrilled we are working in partnership in this way – connecting further with our local community and the people studying, working and being cared for here.”
St Catherine’s Hospice and Preston’s College are holding a free drop-in event, where people interested in studying the qualification can find out more, on 10 April from 1pm until 8pm.
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