What do we do?

What do we mean by 'Palliative Care'?

Palliative Care is 'an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual'. 

World Health Organisation

Our focus

We conduct research and teaching to explore and realise the potential of palliative care to be delivered by GPs, nurses and other professionals working in the community (including care homes), and by hospital teams.

We use our research to design new services and advocate internationally because we believe that access to palliative care is a human right and is delivered most effectively within the community; as endorsed by the WHO in 2018.

Astana Declaration on Primary Health Care

Multi-perspective, qualitative longitudinal research

Methodologically the group is an international leader in multi-perspective qualitative longitudinal research. Through identifying typical trajectories of decline, we advocate for more equitable provision of palliative care regardless of age or diagnosis.

Implementation research

Over the past decade, the group has focused increasingly on application of research into clinical practice. We are committed to overcoming barriers due to 'prognostic paralysis' delaying access to assessment and support for people with palliative care needs.

We do this through proactive identification using tools like the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) and AnticiPal which can search primary care records for clinical indicators. 

Identification of people at risk of deterioration in their health (or the health of family caregivers) should lead to personalised care planning. Our recent work has brought together our expertise in identification of people with unmet needs and education for professionals in palliative care and effective clinical communication - including Anticipatory (Advance) Care Planning and shared decision-making.

Public Patient Involvement (PPI)

We are committed to effective PPI including with people from underserved or minority groups. All our projects have PPI representatives involved at every stage from design to dissemination.