The LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM) is a UK-accredited and internationally recognized qualification designed for healthcare professionals, medical practitioners, and specialists who want to advance their expertise in end-of-life care, symptom management, and hospice medicine. This advanced diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine equips learners with comprehensive knowledge of patient-centered care, pain and symptom control, ethical decision-making, and holistic support, preparing them to deliver compassionate, high-quality care in hospitals, hospice centers, and community healthcare settings.
With the growing need for specialized palliative care worldwide, the Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine provides both theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to improve the quality of life for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Participants gain expertise in areas such as pain management, psychosocial support, spiritual care, communication with patients and families, and multidisciplinary care coordination. This ensures that professionals are fully prepared to address the complex physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
Accredited by LICQual UK, this UK-accredited Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine Diploma ensures international recognition, making it ideal for professionals seeking career progression in hospitals, hospice centers, palliative care units, and community healthcare organizations. Whether you are a doctor, nurse, or healthcare professional, this professional qualification strengthens clinical expertise, enhances professional credibility, and opens pathways to leadership and specialist roles in palliative and hospice care.
The course is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing learners to study Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine online from anywhere in the world. It combines structured modules, interactive case studies, and evidence-based learning to provide a holistic understanding of patient care, ethical practice, and multidisciplinary approaches. This makes it suitable for professionals aiming to update their knowledge, acquire advanced clinical skills, or transition into specialized palliative care roles.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
480
Qualification #
LICQ2200941
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200941-1 |
Foundations of Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200941-2 |
Symptom Assessment and Pain Management |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200941-3 |
Communication, Counselling, and Family Support |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200941-4 |
Clinical Decision-Making and Ethical Considerations |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200941-5 |
Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Palliative Medicine |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2200941-6 |
Service Development, Policy, and Leadership in Palliative Care |
20 |
80 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Unit 1: Foundations of Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:- Critically evaluate the principles, philosophy, and scope of palliative and hospice care.
- Analyse cultural, social, and ethical perspectives in end-of-life care.
- Assess international models and best practices in palliative medicine.
- Unit 2: Symptom Assessment and Pain Management
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of symptom assessment techniques in palliative care.
- Apply evidence-based approaches to pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management.
- Critically evaluate complex clinical cases to improve patient comfort and quality of life.
- Unit 3: Communication, Counselling, and Family Support
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:- Employ advanced communication strategies for discussing sensitive and end-of-life issues.
- Analyse the psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
- Demonstrate the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic care.
- Unit 4: Clinical Decision-Making and Ethical Considerations
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:- Apply ethical frameworks and principles to decision-making in palliative care.
- Critically evaluate case studies involving treatment withdrawal, advanced directives, and patient autonomy.
- Demonstrate understanding of legal, professional, and cultural implications of end-of-life care decisions.
- Unit 5: Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Palliative Medicine
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:- Design and evaluate research projects relevant to palliative and hospice care.
- Critically analyse scientific literature and emerging evidence in palliative medicine.
- Apply research findings to improve patient outcomes and clinical practices.
- Unit 6: Service Development, Policy, and Leadership in Palliative Care
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:- Evaluate models of service delivery in hospice and palliative care.
- Analyse healthcare policies, frameworks, and global guidelines that influence service provision.
- Demonstrate leadership and management skills for developing and improving palliative care services.
The LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM) is designed for healthcare professionals, medical practitioners, and specialists who wish to enhance their expertise in end-of-life care, hospice medicine, and patient-centered palliative care. This course is ideal for individuals seeking a UK-accredited Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine qualification, aiming to advance clinical skills, and pursue career growth in hospitals, hospice centers, and community healthcare settings.
1. Medical Doctors and Practitioners
- Strengthen expertise in palliative care and hospice medicine.
- Learn evidence-based approaches for symptom and pain management.
- Gain advanced knowledge in end-of-life ethical decision-making.
- Enhance communication skills with patients and families.
- Earn a UK-accredited Level 6 Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine qualification.
2. Palliative Care Specialists and Consultants
- Deepen understanding of complex patient needs in hospice settings.
- Stay updated with modern approaches in pain and symptom control.
- Improve patient outcomes through holistic and multidisciplinary care.
- Build credibility as a specialist in end-of-life care.
- Access strategies for managing psychosocial and spiritual patient needs.
3. Nurses and Healthcare Professionals
- Develop practical skills to assist in palliative and hospice care procedures.
- Learn patient-centered care techniques for end-of-life support.
- Improve patient and family communication in sensitive situations.
- Enhance professional credibility in hospitals, hospices, and community care.
- Advance your career in palliative care departments or hospice units.
4. Medical Graduates and Students
- Gain foundational knowledge in palliative care and hospice medicine.
- Prepare for specialist roles or postgraduate studies in end-of-life care.
- Learn modern symptom management and patient support techniques.
- Obtain a globally recognized UK-accredited diploma.
- Improve employability in hospitals, hospice centers, and community healthcare.
5. Healthcare Administrators and Managers
- Understand operational challenges in palliative and hospice care settings.
- Learn to optimize workflow and patient care coordination.
- Apply evidence-based strategies for managing healthcare teams.
- Enhance decision-making in clinical and administrative roles.
- Ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards in end-of-life care.
6. International Healthcare Professionals
- Study globally recognized Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine modules online.
- Expand career opportunities in hospitals, hospices, and international care organizations.
- Learn from a UK-accredited curriculum designed for global standards.
- Bridge knowledge gaps in advanced symptom management and patient care.
- Network with healthcare professionals across the global palliative care community.
7. Research Scholars and Educators
- Advance research in palliative care, hospice medicine, and end-of-life practices.
- Explore latest innovations and evidence-based approaches in patient care.
- Gain credibility for teaching or academic roles in palliative care.
- Develop skills to conduct studies in symptom management and holistic care.
- Strengthen academic and professional profiles with a recognized qualification.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM) must meet high academic and professional standards to ensure quality training and learner success. These requirements are designed to provide learners with a supportive and well-resourced environment that aligns with international healthcare and education practices.
To deliver this qualification, centres must have:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Tutors and assessors must hold relevant academic qualifications and professional experience in palliative care, hospice medicine, or related healthcare fields. They should demonstrate competence in teaching, training, and assessment at Level 6 or above.
- Specialist Learning Resources: Centres must provide access to up-to-date learning materials, journals, case studies, and research databases to support advanced study and evidence-based practice.
- Appropriate Training Facilities: Delivery centres should have well-equipped classrooms, simulation resources, or clinical practice environments where applicable, alongside digital learning platforms to support blended learning.
- Effective Quality Assurance Systems: Internal quality assurance procedures must be in place to ensure fair, consistent, and reliable learner assessment and programme delivery.
- Comprehensive Learner Support: Centres must offer guidance, mentoring, and academic support services to assist learners in achieving success and maximising their professional development.
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Centres should actively encourage both staff and learners to engage in CPD, ensuring continuous growth and alignment with evolving healthcare practices.
By meeting these requirements, centres can deliver a high-quality programme that prepares learners to apply advanced knowledge, ethical principles, and compassionate care in the field of palliative care and hospice medicine.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.