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

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