ICTQual AB Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM)

The ICTQual AB Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM) is designed for learners who wish to gain advanced expertise in providing compassionate, patient-centred care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses. Palliative care plays a critical role in healthcare, focusing on improving quality of life, managing complex symptoms, and supporting patients and their families through physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. This diploma equips learners with the knowledge, clinical skills, and ethical understanding required to deliver high-quality care in hospice and palliative care settings.

Learners will explore comprehensive approaches to symptom management, pain relief, and psychosocial support, alongside strategies for effective communication, end-of-life planning, and interdisciplinary teamwork. The programme emphasises evidence-based practice, ethical decision-making, and holistic care approaches, ensuring that learners are prepared to address the diverse needs of patients in different care environments.

This qualification is suitable for healthcare professionals, nurses, clinicians, and allied health practitioners aiming to specialise in palliative care or hospice medicine. Learners will acquire the skills necessary to assess patient needs, design tailored care plans, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient comfort and dignity.

By completing the ICTQual AB Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine, learners develop advanced clinical, ethical, and research competencies. The programme prepares individuals to contribute meaningfully to patient care, influence care policy, and improve service delivery in palliative and hospice medicine, while meeting the growing demand for skilled professionals in this essential field of healthcare.

Course overview

Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM)

To enrol in ICTQual AB Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM), learner must meet the following entry requirements:

  • Age Requirement: Learners must be at least 19 years old at the time of registration.
  • Educational Background: A Level 5 qualification or equivalent in nursing, medicine, healthcare, or a related field is required.
  • Work Experience: Prior experience in clinical practice, palliative care, hospice care, or related healthcare settings is recommended to support advanced-level learning.
  • English Proficiency: Learners must demonstrate proficiency in English, both written and spoken. International learners may provide evidence of English competency (e.g., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).
  • Additional Requirement: Basic digital literacy is essential for accessing course materials, online learning platforms, and completing assessments.

This qualification, the ICTQual AB Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM), consists of 6 mandatory units.

  1. Principles and Philosophy of Palliative Care
  2. Symptom Assessment and Management
  3. Pain Relief and Pharmacological Interventions
  4. Psychosocial, Emotional, and Spiritual Support
  5. Communication, Ethics, and End-of-Life Care
  6. Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Palliative Care

Learning Outcomes for the Study Units:

Principles and Philosophy of Palliative Care

  • Understand the core principles and philosophy of palliative and hospice care.
  • Analyse models of care and their application in diverse healthcare settings.
  • Evaluate the role of holistic care in improving patient quality of life.
  • Demonstrate awareness of cultural, ethical, and social factors influencing palliative care practice.

Symptom Assessment and Management

  • Develop skills in comprehensive patient assessment to identify physical, emotional, and psychosocial needs.
  • Analyse and prioritise symptoms requiring intervention, including fatigue, nausea, breathlessness, and psychological distress.
  • Implement effective management strategies tailored to individual patient needs.
  • Apply ethical and evidence-based approaches to symptom control and care planning.

Pain Relief and Pharmacological Interventions

  • Understand the pharmacology of pain management, including opioids, adjuvant therapies, and alternative approaches.
  • Assess and monitor patient responses to pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
  • Develop safe and effective care plans to relieve pain and improve patient comfort.
  • Integrate current guidelines and best practices in clinical decision-making.

Psychosocial, Emotional, and Spiritual Support

  • Recognise the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their families.
  • Apply strategies to provide psychosocial support, including counselling, empathy, and active listening.
  • Evaluate the impact of terminal illness on families and caregivers.
  • Promote holistic care that addresses mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Communication, Ethics, and End-of-Life Care

  • Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
  • Understand ethical principles in end-of-life decision-making, including advance directives and consent.
  • Apply compassionate approaches to end-of-life care and bereavement support.
  • Navigate complex situations involving ethical dilemmas with professionalism and empathy.

Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Palliative Care

  • Apply research methodologies relevant to palliative care and hospice medicine.
  • Critically evaluate clinical studies, treatment guidelines, and care protocols.
  • Integrate research findings into clinical practice to enhance patient care and outcomes.
  • Design and present evidence-based projects addressing challenges in palliative and hospice care.

Completing the ICTQual AB Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine equips learners with advanced clinical knowledge, patient care skills, and research capabilities. Graduates are prepared for specialised roles in palliative care, hospice medicine, and advanced healthcare practice, with opportunities for professional growth and international career advancement.

Academic Progression

  • Progress to Level 7 postgraduate diplomas or advanced qualifications in palliative care, hospice medicine, or related healthcare fields.
  • Contribute to clinical research, publications, and evidence-based practice in palliative and end-of-life care.
  • Build foundational expertise to support innovative approaches in symptom management, quality of life, and holistic patient care.

Professional Development

  • Access career opportunities as a palliative care clinician, hospice nurse, care coordinator, or clinical researcher.
  • Work in hospitals, hospice facilities, community care, and specialised healthcare programmes.
  • Undertake responsibilities in patient assessment, care planning, symptom management, and family support.
  • Progress to senior roles in clinical leadership, multidisciplinary teams, or healthcare management.
  • Enhance competencies in ethical practice, evidence-based decision-making, and patient-centred care.

Global Opportunities

  • Gain recognition for expertise, enabling employment in palliative and hospice care settings worldwide.
  • Explore roles in hospitals, research institutions, and community care programmes internationally.
  • Contribute to global initiatives focusing on compassionate care, symptom management, and quality of life improvement.
  • Benefit from the growing demand for skilled professionals in end-of-life and palliative healthcare services.

FAQs

This programme is designed for learners with a background in nursing, medicine, or healthcare who wish to develop advanced skills in palliative and hospice care. It is ideal for healthcare professionals seeking to provide compassionate, patient-centred care in end-of-life settings.

Learners must:

  • Be at least 19 years old at the time of enrolment.
  • Hold a Level 5 qualification or equivalent in nursing, medicine, healthcare, or a related field.
  • Preferably have professional experience in clinical practice, palliative care, or hospice services.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in English, both written and spoken (e.g., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent for international learners).

ICTQual AB Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM) is 60 Credits training program. As this Training program have mandatory assessment which will be conducted through Approved Training Centers.

ICTQual AB allows to offer Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM) in various formats, including online, in-person, or a combination of both. Participants can choose the format that best fits their schedule and learning preferences. But final decision is made by ATC.

Yes, ICTQual AB Level 6 Diploma in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Dip PCHM) consist of 6 mandatory assessments . These assessments are designed to evaluate participants’ comprehension of course material and their capacity to apply concepts in practical situations. It is mandatory to pass assessments with a minimum score of 75%