We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to continue to learn and develop professionally.
We offer a variety of sessions covering all the basics needed to ensure high quality palliative and end-of-life care. You’ll find details of all our courses below and places can be booked in our online shop.
Our courses
Introduction to Symptom Management
Introduction to Symptom Management
This session will explore some of the most common symptoms encountered in palliative care and how to manage them including pain, agitation, and shortness of breath. We will discuss how to recognise the signs that someone is dying.
Course dates and locations in 2025
Wednesday 19 March, 1pm-3.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
Wednesday 17 September, 1pm-3.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
Wednesday 12 November, 11pm-3.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Communication in Palliative and End-of-Life Care.
Cost:
The cost of this half day course is £30.
Communication in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Communication in Palliative and End-of-Life Care
This interactive session will help to equip you with the skills, confidence, and personal strategies to manage some of the conversations that you may face when supporting patients and those important to them. We will also consider some of the challenges that we may face when caring for people at the end of their life.
Course dates and locations in 2025
Wednesday 19 March, 10am-12.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
Wednesday 17 September, 10am-12.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
Wednesday 12 November, 10am-12.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Introduction to Symptom Management.
Cost:
The cost of this half day course is £30.
Medications for Syringe Pumps
Medications for Syringe Pumps
This session is suitable for staff who need a greater understanding of the medications used in syringe drivers. We will cover which medications are commonly used and why. We will also look at the compatibility of medications.
Course dates and locations in 2025
Wednesday 14 May 12.30pm-2.30pm
This course takes place at our Yeovil Hospice.
Wednesday 4 June 12.30pm-2.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
Wednesday 8 October 12.30pm-2.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
Wednesday 10 December 12.30pm-2.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Syringe Pump training.
Cost:
The cost of this half day course is £30.
Syringe Pump Training
Syringe Pump Training
This session is suitable for all staff who use syringe drivers in their role.
It is a patient-focussed session covering why and when syringe drivers are used. It is an interactive practical demonstration of the syringe drivers currently in use across Somerset, including BD Bodyguard. It is designed to increase confidence in setting up a syringe driver, common problems that arise and how to deal with them. We will also look at just in case medication and consider communication with the patient and those important to them.
Course dates and locations in 2025
Wednesday 16 April, 10.30am to 12pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Verification of Expected Death and Care after Death.
Wednesday 14 May, 10.30am to 12pm
This course takes place at our Yeovil Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Medications for Syringe Pumps.
Wednesday 04 June, 10.30am to 12pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Medications for Syringe Pumps.
Wednesday 16 July, 10.30am to 12pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Verification of Expected Death and Care after Death.
Wednesday 08 October, 10.30am to 12pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Medications for Syringe Pumps.
Wednesday 10 December, 10.30am to 12pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside Medications for Syringe Pumps.
Cost:
The cost of this half day course is £30.
Verification of Expected Death and Care After Death
Verification of Expected Death and Care After Death
This interactive session is for health care professionals who may need to verify an expected death. It covers the roles, responsibilities, and terminology as well as the legal considerations. We will consider the emotional impact on ourselves and those around us.
Course dates and locations in 2025
Wednesday 16 April, 12.30pm-2.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
Wednesday 16 July, 12.30pm-2.30pm
This course takes place at our Taunton Hospice.
We recommend booking this course alongside syringe pumps.
Cost:
The cost of this half day course is £30.
Somerset Palliative Care ECHO Network
for Health & Social Care Professional
Somerset Palliative Care ECHO Network
Interested in developing your knowledge of Palliative Care?
ECHO Sessions provide an opportunity for like-minded healthcare professionals to learn, share best practice and discuss ideas in an online forum.
2025 Network Session Dates
Spiritual Care
Wednesday 23 April 10am -11am
Ann Fulton – Spiritual Care Coordinator
Pain Management
Wednesday 18 June 10-11am
Dr Mette Larssen- Associate Specialist
Bowel Care
Thursday 31 July 2-3pm
Anna Saunders – Senior Sister
Complex Pain and Emotional Well-Being: Early Holistic, Lifestyle, and Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Develop Self-Care and Resilience
Thursday 23 October 10am -11am
Dr Roger Smith – Consultant
An Overview of Lymphoedema
Thursday 18 December 10am -11am
Becky Eckersall – Lymphoedema Specialist
Sessions are FREE, held remotely and coordinated by the Hub (St. Margaret’s Hospice Care).
All you need is a device that you can access the internet and emails on, with a camera, microphone, and speaker.
Please email [email protected] if you would like to be added to the distribution list
Somerset Palliative Care ECHO Network
for the Care Community
Somerset Palliative Care ECHO Network
Interested in developing your knowledge of Palliative Care?
ECHO Sessions provide an opportunity for like-minded health and social care staff to learn, share best practice and discuss ideas in an online forum.
2025 Network Session Dates
Spiritual Care
Thursday 20 March 2-3pm
Ann Fulton – Spiritual Care Coordinator
Red Flags in Palliative Care
Thursday 22 May 2-3pm
Anna Saunders – Senior Sister
Bowel Care
Thursday 31 July 2-3pm
Anna Saunders – Senior Sister
The Role of the Sunflower Centre
Wednesday 24 September 2-3pm
Teresa Connah – Lead Nurse, Day Services
An Overview of Lymphoedema
Wednesday 19 November 2-3pm
Laura Blundell – Lymphoedema Specialist
Sessions are FREE, held remotely and coordinated by the Hub (St. Margaret’s Hospice Care).
All you need is a device that you can access the internet and emails on, with a camera, microphone, and speaker.
Please email [email protected] if you would like to be added to the distribution list
Booking Terms & Conditions
Bookings
Bookings are limited to 3 people per organisation per session.
Cancellation
- St Margaret’s Hospice reserves the right to change or cancel the course date/time at any point.
- If you need to cancel, please tell us at least 7 days before the course date
- All course fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to alternative courses or dates
- Name changes are allowable up to 7 days before the course
- Names and individual contact details will need to be provided prior to the course date.
- To cancel your booking please do so by emailing [email protected]