Welcome to the International Observatory on End of Life Care
The aim of the International Observatory on End of Life Care is to undertake high quality research, clinical studies, evaluation, education, advocacy and consultancy to improve palliative and end of life care for patients and family carers. The Observatory works closely with the local health and social care community in the North West, as well as nationally and internationally. We offer a range of methodological and theoretical expertise drawn from clinical and social science perspectives. Our aims are to improve palliative and end of life care for patients and carers, and they include:
- to provide research-based evidence on end of life care provision - locally, nationally and internationally - through primary research studies and reviews;
- to disseminate results in order to make a practical and academic impact;
- to provide appropriate programmes of education and training, as well as consultancy services
- to work in partnership with key organisations and individuals as a ‘community of effort’ for the global improvement of end of life care.
- Clinical studies, particularly on the management of pain and other symptoms
- Understanding the needs of family and carers and planning interventions to support them
- Addressing the needs older people including those with dementia and improving the provision of end of life care in residential and nursing homes
- Public education and awareness of end of life issues
- Research across the lifespan in chronic illness and end of life care, from childhood to old age.
Established in 2003, the International Observatory on End of Life Care is now a globally recognised centre of excellence for research in palliative and end of life care. Since the early days the range of work undertaken at the Observatory has expanded dramatically and the numbers of staff, students, honorary members and associates have increased commensurately. We currently have 29 staff and 12 postgraduate research students listed on our website. In this document, we have chosen to highlight our programme of clinical work.
Director: Professor Sheila Payne (s.a.payne@lancaster.ac.uk)
** New ** Doctorate in Palliative Care is a new course, due to commence in June 2010. For more information, click here.
Masters in Hospice Leadership is a postgraduate qualification that will be of special interest to chief executives, senior managers and suitably qualified people who aspire to lead hospices both in the UK and overseas. For more information, select the following link:
http://www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/executive/open/MA-hospice-leadership/.
Summer School 2010: Pre-registrations for our next Summer School are now being accepted. Click the following link for more information:
Further information on our Summer School
Our site is updated constantly, so do hit your “refresh” button often! And keep checking for new projects, breaking news and future activities within the International Observatory on End of Life Care. Your interest is much appreciated.
Professor Sheila Payne
Lancaster University, UK
