Breaking Bad News in Palliative & End of Life Care
Course Overview
This highly interactive course builds confidence, competence and emotional intelligence in delivering difficult news within palliative and end of life care. Through simulated scenarios, reflective practice and structured communication frameworks, participants learn how to approach complex and sensitive conversations with clarity, compassion and professionalism.
The course explores the emotional impact of breaking bad news for patients, families and healthcare professionals while providing practical tools to manage these conversations safely. Learners practise real-world communication techniques, receive structured feedback and apply advanced communication skills through immersive case-based activities.
This Course is For
Ideal for all health and social care professionals who engage in conversations about deterioration, treatment changes or end of life decisions. Suitable for nurses, Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), doctors, paramedics, Healthcare Assistants (HCAs), social care staff and anyone supporting individuals and families through distressing or life-changing news.
Delivery Method
Face-to-face teaching with simulation, case-based learning and optional pre-reading via Padlet.
Course Capacity & Cost
- 16 places
- Organisational booking: £1,450
- Individual booking: £150 per person
Indicative Content
- Understanding the emotional, ethical and clinical dimensions of breaking bad news
- Emotional intelligence in practice, including self-awareness, empathy and managing personal triggers
- Communication frameworks including SPIKES, BREAKS, NURSE and Ask–Tell–Ask
- Preparing for difficult conversations, including environment, team roles and clarity of purpose
- Appropriate language to use and language to avoid
- Supporting patients and families through shock, anger, denial and anticipatory grief
- Managing conflict, unrealistic expectations and family disagreement
- Communicating uncertainty and transitions from active treatment to end of life care
- Working effectively within multidisciplinary teams to ensure consistent messaging
- Simulation-based practice using facilitated scenarios
- Reflective debriefing to develop resilience and communication confidence
