This course teaches you how to recognise when an adult may be in the last days of life, how to communicate with them and those close to them, and how to manage common symptoms using anticipatory medicines. It then explains the principles of verifying death and the steps that follow, so that you can care for patients and families with confidence at the end of life.
What you will learn
- Recognise the signs that an adult may be entering the last days of life, and explain why this recognition is uncertain and must be reviewed.
- Hold and document a clear, compassionate conversation with a dying person and those important to them, in line with NICE and GMC guidance.
- Plan care in the last days of life, including hydration, nutrition and the review of medicines and interventions.
- Describe the anticipatory medicines used for pain, breathlessness, nausea and vomiting, agitation and respiratory secretions, and know where to find safe doses.
- Explain the principles of verifying death and the documentation and communication that follow, while following local policy and current national guidance.
Course content
- Good care at the end of life (2 min)
- Recognising the last days of life (3 min)
- Communication and shared decisions (3 min)
- Planning care: hydration, nutrition and medicines (2 min)
- Symptom control and anticipatory medicines (4 min)
- Verifying death: the principles (4 min)
- After death: care, documentation and support (3 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- NICE guideline NG31: Care of dying adults in the last days of life, and NICE quality standard QS144
- GMC: Treatment and care towards the end of life: good practice in decision making
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024)
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including the sections on dignity, communication and end of life care
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges: A Code of Practice for the diagnosis and confirmation of death: 2025 update
- Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying People: One chance to get it right (the five priorities for care)
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.