North West launches UK's pioneering academy for hospice and palliative care
New educational hub aims to build future-ready workforce in end-of-life care
The UK’s first academy dedicated to hospice and palliative care workers has been established in the North West, providing a central hub for developing skilled professionals in end-of-life care.
Initiated by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Hospices Together (LSCHT) partnership, the Hospice and Palliative Care Academy collaborates with the Universities of Lancashire and Cumbria and ten regional hospices to foster learning and career opportunities.
The Academy's focus is on building a resilient workforce capable of addressing both current and future hospice care needs, with regional hospices caring for over 15,000 individuals in the past year alone.
Gillian Oakley, Senior Lecturer in Palliative Care at the University of Lancashire, acknowledged workforce challenges in attracting and retaining staff, a gap the Academy aims to fill through comprehensive educational pathways and programmes.
Course offerings span clinical and non-clinical domains, equipping participants with knowledge in palliative medicine, leadership, and other relevant areas, while promoting ongoing research for best practices.
Educational initiatives are supported by local FE colleges, leveraging apprenticeship levy funding and continuing professional development.
Recognising the collaborative effort within the sector, Helen McVey, Chief Executive of Pendleside Hospice and Chair of LSCHT, lauded the Academy as a representation of partnership in action.
Anita Hayes, Clinical Quality Lead at Hospice UK, endorsed the Academy, emphasising its role in future-proofing the workforce through shared learning and standard-setting excellence.
Nestled within the LSCHT's strategic framework, the Academy invites individuals interested in hospice care careers to explore opportunities via its website.