European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care (ECEPC)

Monday 13th April 2026 to Wednesday 17th June 2026
Monday 7th September 2026 to Wednesday 11th November 2026
Online

Who should attend:

Healthcare professionals who may wish to access the course include medical and nursing staff, allied heath professionals (from acute, community and hospice settings) and paramedics.

Available Course Dates:

AUTUMN 2025 - COURSE FULL

Spring 2026 - registration open (closes 13 March 2026 latest)

13 April 2026 Course launch event GMT 1800hrs

17 June 2026 Remote assessment day GMT 09:30hrs-14:00hrs (latest)

Autumn 2026 - registration open (closes 10 August 2026 latest)

7 September 2026 Course launch event GMT 1800hrs

11 November 2026 Remote assessment day GMT 09:30hrs - (approximately)14:00hrs

Venue: Online

Course Fee: £600

About the course:

Developed at Princess Alice Hospice in 2001. This course is now offered at a range of sites both nationally and internationally – including The Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. It is a nine week distance learning, multi-professional programme. Suitable for professionals who have direct contact with patients requiring a palliative approach and care.

Carried out at a distance from the chosen site, the entire course is delivered virtually via Zoom. It is recommended you carry out around 50 hours personal study, but this will vary depending on previous experience of palliative care.

Staff working in hospices in the UK can apply to the Wolfson Foundation (via Hospice UK) to cover part of the cost of this programme.

The course covers:

  • What is palliative care and who is it for?
  • Symptom issues in palliative care
  • Patients with emergency conditions
  • Patients in the last 48 hours of life
  • Breaking bad news to patients and families
  • Bereavement and support


Candidates will receive:

  • Extensive course handbook containing the core text material
  • Access to a comprehensive virtual learning hub– learningzone.pah.org.uk
  • An allocated a facilitator who will support you through your portfolio submission and the assessment element of the course The facilitators are experienced practitioners in specialist palliative care, who will be available by email or telephone. 
  • Awarded the Princess Alice Hospice European Certificate of Essential Palliative Care upon successful completion
  • Note: There are no formal teaching sessions, however, support sessions are offered

How do I book?

Initial applications are managed by Princess Alice Hospice. Got a question about the course?

Register here - Please remember to select Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted as your chosen site Join our Education & Training mailing list!

Transition Course
Education Event

Transition to Autonomous Practice

67A21b16 Fe43 4159 8Eb4 35471747F20c V2 (1) 03 Sept 25
Education Event

Lean In – Don’t Step Back! Supporting Individuals with Complex Dual Mental Health and Palliative Health Care Needs

Compassionate Communication Skills (1) 04 Sept 25
Education Event

Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Face to Face

DYING MATTERS SERIES (5) Multiple dates
Education Event

Intermediate Communication Skills Training - Having Sensitive Conversations within the Context of Palliative and End of Life Care

DYING MATTERS SERIES (6) Multiple dates
Education Event

Advanced Communication Skills Training Course (2 Days)

MACD242 Malignant+Spinal+Cord_495x245 17 Sept 25
Education Event

Masterclass - Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression

Palliative And Eolc Awareness (1) Multiple dates
Education Event

Palliative and End of Life Care - an Awareness Day (Online)

PCDP 2025 (2) 23 Sept 25 - 02 Dec 25
Education Event

Palliative Care Development Programme 2025 (PCDP)

DYING MATTERS SERIES (11) 24 Sept 25
Education Event

Talking ACP and DNACPR - A Practical Approach

AHP Bitesize Boom And Bust Fatigue Management 25.09.2025 25 Sept 25
Education Event

AHP Bite Size Learning - Boom and BUST: Supporting People to Manage Fatigue - An AHP Approach

Untitled Design (8) 07 Oct 25
Education Event

End of Life Anticipatory Medications

Claire & Amy Multiple dates
Education Event

ReSPECT Awareness for Everyone

AHP Bite Size Harnessing The Power Of Nature 23.10.25 23 Oct 25
Education Event

AHP Bite Size Learning - Harnessing the Power of Nature

Pulmonary Fibrosis In Focus From Diagnosis To Palliative Care 05 Nov 25
Education Event

Pulmonary Fibrosis in Focus - from Diagnosis to Palliative Care - Attend in Person or Online

67A21b16 Fe43 4159 8Eb4 35471747F20c V2 06 Nov 25
Education Event

Prepared to Care? Supporting Patients with Mental Health & Palliative Care Needs

Peolc Non Clinicians 18 Nov 25
Education Event

Introduction to Palliative Care for Non-Clinicians

Core Principles Of Palliative Rehab 19 Nov 25
Education Event

AHP Bite Size Learning - Core Principles of Palliative Rehabilitation

Approaching Anniversaries 20 Nov 25
Education Event

Approaching Anniversaries for those who are bereaved

Compassionate Communication Skills (4) Multiple dates
Education Event

Compassionate Communication Skills (Foundation Level) Online

Dr Chadwick 1 3 10 Dec 25
Education Event

Masterclass - to Treat or not to Treat

AHP Bite Size Outcome Measures 18 Dec 25
Education Event

AHP Bite Size Learning - Outcome Measures for Palliative Rehabilitation

Palliative Care Emergencies 15 Jan 26
Education Event

Palliative Care Emergencies

Elderly Couple Sitting (1) 22 Jan 26
Education Event

AHP Bite Size Learning - Promoting Empowerment and Choice for those living with long term and palliative conditions

Bereavement 03 Feb 26
Education Event

Bereavement, Loss and Grief - Introduction

PCDP 2025 (3) 05 Feb 26
Education Event

Person Centred Care and Frailty Awareness Workshop

DYING MATTERS SERIES (11) 12 Feb 26
Education Event

Talking ACP, DNACPR and ReSPECT - A Practical Approach

Manisha And Claire Take 4 26 Feb 26
Education Event

AHP Bite Size Learning - Reframing Life's Challenges: empowering people to break free from unhelpful thinking styles

Breathlessness 26 Mar 26
Education Event

AHP Bite Size Learning - Management of Breathlessness for people living with life limiting conditions

separator