Are you passionate about providing compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses? The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (PgDPCHM) is a prestigious UK-recognized qualification designed for healthcare professionals seeking to specialize in end-of-life care. This advanced Level 7 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine combines evidence-based clinical knowledge, practical skills, and research-focused learning to prepare you for leadership and specialist roles in palliative and hospice care.
Through this postgraduate diploma in palliative care UK program, you will explore a wide range of topics including pain and symptom management, psychosocial support, ethical decision-making, communication skills, and multidisciplinary care coordination. The LICQual PgDPCHM course emphasizes hands-on practice, compassionate care, and evidence-based approaches, ensuring that you gain both theoretical understanding and practical expertise required for effective patient-centered practice.
Whether you are a physician, nurse, or healthcare specialist, this program is designed to meet the needs of professionals seeking career advancement in palliative care and hospice medicine. You will develop advanced skills in managing complex symptoms, supporting patients and families, and applying ethical principles in clinical decision-making. The course offers flexible study options, including online and blended learning, enabling busy healthcare professionals to achieve a globally recognized qualification without compromising their work commitments.
Graduates of this palliative care and hospice medicine postgraduate diploma will be equipped to take on leadership roles in hospitals, hospice centers, community care settings, and research institutions worldwide. With an accredited Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine, you will enhance your professional credibility, expand your career opportunities, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and their families.
If your goal is to advance your clinical expertise, provide compassionate end-of-life care, and become a recognized leader in hospice and palliative medicine, the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (PgDPCHM) is your ideal pathway to professional excellence and global recognition.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (PgDPCHM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
600
Qualification #
LICQ2200984
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (PgDPCHM), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200984-1 |
Principles and Practice of Palliative Care |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200984-2 |
Communication and Psychosocial Support in Palliative Care |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200984-3 |
Clinical Management of Life-Limiting Conditions |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200984-4 |
Palliative Care in Diverse Populations and Settings |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200984-5 |
Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Palliative Care |
20 |
100 |
|
LICQ2200984-6 |
Professionalism, Leadership, and Development in Palliative Care |
20 |
100 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles and Practice of Palliative Care
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the principles and philosophy of palliative care, focusing on holistic and person-centred approaches.
- Develop and implement care plans for patients with life-limiting conditions, addressing pain, symptoms, and quality of life.
- Apply ethical frameworks and legal considerations to end-of-life care and decision-making.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the multidisciplinary approach to delivering palliative care across various healthcare settings.
Unit 2: Communication and Psychosocial Support in Palliative Care
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Apply effective communication techniques to deliver sensitive news, addressing both patients’ and families’ emotional needs.
- Assess the psychosocial needs of patients, families, and carers and provide appropriate support interventions.
- Address spiritual, cultural, and emotional aspects of end-of-life care, respecting diversity and individual preferences.
- Provide bereavement support to families and carers, ensuring continuity of care through sensitive communication.
Unit 3: Clinical Management of Life-Limiting Conditions
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Develop comprehensive care plans for patients with life-limiting conditions, incorporating symptom control and palliative care strategies.
- Utilise pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to manage pain, nausea, breathlessness, and other symptoms.
- Apply advanced decision-making techniques in managing complex, multi-faceted palliative care cases.
- Integrate evidence-based approaches to clinical management, ensuring high standards of care delivery.
Unit 4: Palliative Care in Diverse Populations and Settings
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Design and implement palliative care interventions for diverse populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with non-malignant conditions.
- Apply palliative care principles across different settings (hospital, home, hospice, and community).
- Critically assess cultural considerations and ethical dilemmas in palliative care practice across diverse populations.
- Understand the role of palliative care in global health systems, especially in low-resource settings.
Unit 5: Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Palliative Care
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Critically evaluate current research methodologies and evidence-based practices within palliative care.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of scientific literature to inform practice and improve patient outcomes.
- Design and conduct clinical audits, ensuring the integration of research findings into practice.
- Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, demonstrating leadership in advancing palliative care practice.
Unit 6: Professionalism, Leadership, and Development in Palliative Care
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional responsibility and clinical governance in palliative care practice, adhering to ethical and legal standards.
- Exhibit leadership and management skills in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and ensuring high-quality palliative care.
- Engage in reflective practice and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to foster ongoing career growth.
- Contribute to the development of palliative care policies, improving services at organisational and national levels.
The LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (PgDPCHM) is ideal for healthcare professionals who want to advance their skills in end-of-life care and hospice medicine. This course is designed for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and researchers seeking specialized knowledge, practical expertise, and global recognition. It provides a comprehensive understanding of patient-centered care, symptom management, and ethical decision-making for individuals with life-limiting conditions.
Medical Doctors and Physicians
- Enhance clinical skills in palliative and hospice care
- Master pain and symptom management for complex cases
- Develop expertise in ethical decision-making and patient advocacy
- Gain UK-recognized Level 7 postgraduate qualification
- Improve patient-centered care and communication skills
- Prepare for leadership roles in hospitals and hospice centers
Nurses and Advanced Nursing Practitioners
- Deepen knowledge of holistic patient care and end-of-life support
- Learn advanced techniques for symptom and pain management
- Improve communication with patients and families in sensitive situations
- Gain practical skills for multidisciplinary teamwork
- Strengthen professional credibility in palliative care
- Access flexible learning pathways to balance work and study
Allied Health Professionals and Clinicians
- Expand understanding of psychosocial and spiritual care
- Develop competencies in patient assessment and care planning
- Learn collaborative approaches to multidisciplinary care
- Apply evidence-based strategies in clinical practice
- Enhance skills for community and hospice-based care
- Prepare for advanced clinical roles in palliative settings
Biomedical Scientists and Researchers
- Study the pathophysiology of chronic and terminal illnesses
- Conduct applied research in palliative care interventions
- Collaborate with clinicians on patient-centered studies
- Present findings in professional and academic forums
- Contribute to advancements in hospice and end-of-life care
- Expand career opportunities in research and academia
Healthcare Administrators and Managers
- Understand the management of palliative and hospice care services
- Develop policies for patient safety and quality assurance
- Learn resource allocation and operational management
- Strengthen leadership and decision-making skills
- Support evidence-based clinical governance
- Enhance hospital and hospice program efficiency
International Medical Graduates and Specialists
- Earn a UK-recognized diploma for global career mobility
- Adapt knowledge to international standards in hospice and palliative care
- Strengthen credentials for specialist licensure abroad
- Access flexible online and blended study options
- Join a network of global palliative care professionals
- Expand opportunities for teaching, research, and clinical leadership
Academic and Teaching Professionals
- Integrate palliative care expertise into curricula and training
- Mentor and train students and healthcare professionals
- Conduct academic research and publish findings
- Enhance institutional reputation with a UK-accredited diploma
- Develop workshops and specialized training programs
- Advance career portfolio with a Level 7 qualification
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine must meet rigorous standards to ensure the highest quality of education and learner success. Key requirements include:
- Qualified and Experienced Staff: Centres must employ highly qualified educators and assessors with substantial clinical and academic experience in palliative care, hospice medicine, or related fields. Staff should possess advanced qualifications and demonstrate expertise in end-of-life care, symptom management, and multidisciplinary team leadership.
- Comprehensive Clinical Facilities: Centres must provide access to modern clinical and hospice environments, enabling learners to gain hands-on experience in patient care settings. This includes access to symptom management units, bereavement counselling areas, and multidisciplinary team collaboration spaces.
- Robust Learning Resources: Learners must have access to a wide range of academic resources, including textbooks, research journals, case studies, and digital learning platforms. Centres should ensure that learning materials support the integration of theory into practice and foster in-depth study.
- Practical Training Opportunities: Centres must facilitate practical experiences in real-world settings, including opportunities for learners to engage in case-based learning, simulation exercises, and interprofessional collaboration. This provides learners with direct exposure to palliative and hospice care practices.
- Ethical and Legal Compliance: Centres must adhere to ethical standards and legal frameworks governing palliative care and healthcare education, ensuring that all aspects of the programme are delivered with integrity and professionalism.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Support: Centres should provide structured guidance on CPD and reflective practice, ensuring that learners are supported in applying new knowledge to their ongoing clinical practice. This includes offering opportunities for learners to engage in quality improvement initiatives and policy development.
- Assessment and Evaluation Framework: Centres must implement clear and rigorous assessment strategies, including written assignments, clinical evaluations, and case studies, to ensure that learners achieve all learning outcomes and demonstrate competence in palliative care and hospice medicine.
Meeting these requirements ensures that learners receive high-quality training in palliative care, preparing them for leadership roles and advanced practice in end-of-life care.
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.