Professional Networks and Associations

Association for Paediatric Palliative Medicine (APPM) represents all Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals working in the area of Paediatric Palliative Medicine in hospital, hospice and community settings. It seeks to support practice and training for all doctors and other health professionals working in this area of medicine. 

Association for Palliative Medicine of Great Britain and Ireland is one of the world’s largest representative bodies of medical/healthcare professionals practicing or interested in palliative care, with a growing membership of over 1,200. 

Association of Bereavement Service Coordinators in Hospice and Palliative Care (ABSCo) is one of the founder members of the National Bereavement Alliance and works hard to improve standards, awareness and research into many areas of bereavement. They work in partnership with other bereavement organisation to affect change at all levels.

Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Oncology and Palliative Care is a professional network which aims to provide peer support and networking opportunities for its members. They facilitate the exchange of ideas and evidence based knowledge within this speciality and provide opportunities for continuing professional development. 

Association of Hospice & Palliative Care Chaplains (AHPCC) aims to work within a multidisciplinary team committed to providing holistic care, be proactive in assessing and meeting the complex spiritual and religious needs of patients, their families and carers, discern and respect the cultural, spiritual and religious diversity of all patients, their families and carers and ensure that all spiritual and religious care is patient-led, focused on the needs of individuals, families and carers

Through the work of the Association of Palliative Care Social Workers (APCSW) and its members, the role of palliative care social work will be highly valued by people with life limiting illnesses, the people that are important to them, those that support them, communities, clinicians and the wider social work profession and viewed as core to the delivery of excellent palliative, end of life and bereavement care.

Association of Palliative Day Services (APDS) is the first national representative body formed exclusively for palliative day service professionals in the UK and Ireland.

As an Association they are a powerful, collective voice. They aim to be an authority in shaping national guidelines and policies, an educator in cultivating public interest and understanding, and an ambassador for dedicated providers, and the integral service they provide within palliative care.

Association of Supportive and Palliative Care Pharmacy (ASPCP) is a UK representative association for pharmacy professionals to improve the care of people affected by advanced life-limiting disease. It is a professional membership organisation affiliated to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) of Great Britain but is open to all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmaceutical scientists and trainees interested in the advancement of palliative care pharmacy.

Hospice Volunteer Managers Network is a national membership organisation for anyone managing volunteers in hospice or palliative care settings. Run by members for members, they provide information, training and support to staff in over 120 hospices across the UK.

Membership to the College of Paramedics Palliative Medicine Special Interest Group can be multi-disciplinary and applications are encouraged from paramedics, as well as medical doctors, or other appropriately experienced nurses or allied health professionals. Applications are also encouraged from those in clinical, leadership, academic and research roles who feel they could make a valuable contribution to this group.

The Hospice Income Generation Network (HIGN) has grown to be recognised as one of the UK’s most relevant income generation membership organisations. They strive to maintain and improve the professional standards of fundraising, retail and communications, placing hospice professionals at the forefront of the sector.

For more information on the Hospice Libraries Group, please contact Sue Langley.

National Association for Hospice at Home (NAHH) works closely with Hospice UK and other national organisations to raise the profile of hospice at home and identify and disseminate best practice in end of life care. They also support hospice at home services to widen their access so that more people nationally will benefit from their care.

National Nurse Consultant Group (Palliative Care) are a group of senior nurses working in hospital, hospice and community who have wide ranging knowledge, skills and experience in caring for patients with complex physical, psychological, social and spiritual issues at the end of life. For more information please contact Diane Laverty.

The Palliative Care for People with Learning Disabilities network (PCPLD) brings together service providers, people with a learning disability and carers working for the benefit of individuals with learning disabilities who have palliative care needs. Their ethos is that people with a learning disability should receive the coordinated support needed in living their lives to the full, until the end of their life.

Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section - Major Health Conditions is dedicated to supporting occupational therapists working throughout the United Kingdom in a range of areas associated with major health conditions. Their clinical fora cover: cancer care, palliative care and end of life, cardiac and respiratory, and HIV.

They are passionate about providing care, to enhance patients’ quality of life through engagement in meaningful and purposeful occupation. They work closely with organisations and professionals in order to promote the role of occupational therapy within the above specialities.