Education
Regardless of the role we each play in the Health and Care sector, up to date skills and knowledge are essential in delivering the best possible care for patients but also for developing ourselves and to allow us to progress in our profession.
We offer a range of study days and conferences facilitated by our community specialist palliative care nurses who are committed to ensuring that those who need excellent palliative care have access to it, and so we have a range of education and training courses available.
Our training is mapped to the latest standards in health and social care and delivered by a team of specialist nurses and doctors who are supported by a wider multi-disciplinary team. They manage patients with life limiting illnesses, who have complex symptom control issues.
Topics include pain and symptom management, Advance Care Planning and Motor Neurone Disease.
We want you to leave one of our sessions confident and empowered to deliver your new skills.
Funding for Education
Education is funded by the charity, Macmillan Caring Locally and we have an on-going funding need for our training. If you are interested in supporting any of these courses, our fundraising team would be very grateful to hear from you.
Non-Malignant Palliative Care Study Day
A one day conference for health care professionals in both primary and secondary care. “Supporting patients with non-malignant conditions at end of life”
TBC 2026
Course fee: £70
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
18th November 2025 | Out of stock | Out of stock |
Advanced Principles in Palliative Care
Advanced symptom control. This two day interactive workshop aims to provide core knowledge for Registered Nurses working in a community role or Nursing Home setting. It aims to explore the issues and challenges relating to the practical application of person-centred palliative care towards the end of life. It is aimed at all nurses (including recently qualified nurses), allied health professionals or those who feel they need an update.
TBC 2026
Booking Form (hosted by Forest Holme)
Course fee: £100
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
tbc. | Out of stock | Out of stock |
tbc. | Out of stock | Out of stock |
End of Life Care Medications
This half day interactive workshop is offered as a follow up to the Principles of Palliative Care. Delegates must have attended the Principles course.
TBC 2026
Booking Form (hosted by Forest Holme)
Course fee: £30
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
tbc. | Out of stock | Out of stock |
Allow a Natural Death / Do Not Resuscitate Workshop
This interactive workshop aims to raise awareness and develop the knowledge, skills and attitude of GPs and experienced registered nurses who are likely to be facilitating regular conversations regarding resuscitation. This workshop aims to enable you to complete the relevant documentation competently. Criteria for this course is completion of advanced communication skills training prior to attending.
28th April 2026
Course fee: £100
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
28th April 2026 | Out of stock | Out of stock |
HCSW Study Day
This day is aimed at Health Care Support Workers working in the NHS or Nursing Homes.
14th May 2026
Course fee: £100
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
14th May 2026 | Out of stock | Out of stock |
Advance Care Planning Workshop
This interactive workshop aims to provide core knowledge for Registered Nurses working within a community role or Nursing Home setting. It aims to explore the issues and challenges relating to the practical application of person-centred palliative care towards the end of life.
TBC 2026
FULLY BOOKED
Course fee: £70
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
tbc. | Out of stock | Out of stock |
MND Study Day
A one day conference for health and social care professionals in both primary and secondary care. This MDT-led day will provide knowledge and information to promote best evidence based clinical practice within MND care locally. We aim to stimulate new ideas and partnerships, leading to better support for people with MND and their families.
TBC 2026
Booking Form
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
tbc. | Out of stock |
Patient Approach
Delivered by an experienced volunteer and tutor, Mandy will take you through the process of talking to patients, stages of dying and handling those difficult questions patients may ask.
Volunteer Training: contact 0300 019 5353 for dates
Patient Approach MCL Course Description
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
tbc. | Out of stock |
Listening Skills
Delivered by Mandy Preece, a qualified ‘Soul Midwife’. Mandy follows on from Patient Approach with traditional and bespoke deep listening skills for patients who are at the end of life.
Volunteer Training: contact 0300 019 5353 for dates
Patient Listening MCL Course Description
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
tbc. | Out of stock |
Patient Presencing
Mandy’s final module focuses on being with patients and/or family members as their loved one dies. This session also covers the importance of protecting yourself emotionally.
Volunteer Training: contact 0300 019 5353 for dates
Patient Precensing Course Description
| Course Date | Places | Book Course |
|---|---|---|
tbc. | Out of stock |
Macmillan Unit Ward at Christchurch Hospital
Patient Enquiries: 0300 019 5470
Charity Office: 01202 477 628
Fundraising Enquiries: lin@macmillanlocal.org
For further information about “Macmillan Caring Locally” please write to: Neal Williams, Trust Secretary, Macmillan Caring Locally, The Macmillan Unit, Christchurch Hospital, Fairmile Road, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 2JX
Email: neal@macmillanlocal.org
Support the Future of Compassionate Care
Patient referrals to our service have increased significantly in the last ten years.The existing Macmillan Unit was built in 1974 and is now far too small for the number of people under our care. We have been setting aside funds to build a new Unit for many years.
Our patients receive the best possible care from our dedicated team of professionals and volunteers. Help us to provide them with the best possible facilities too.
Please help us in any way you can to reach this goal, so that we can start the build.
