This palliative care with infection prevention and control course includes theoretical knowledge and practical skills through a combination of assignments and learner records, please note that parts of the assessment may need to be completed in a healthcare setting in a relevant Healthcare Assistant role.

Assessment Components:

• Assignment: This assignment will test your understanding of the modules covered in the course, including palliative care principles and infection prevention strategies. You’ll be asked to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world healthcare scenarios, demonstrating your ability to think critically and implement best practices.

Learner Record: This record requires you to document your learning experiences. You will need to show how you’ve applied course concepts in practice. It provides an opportunity to showcase your hands-on skills in both palliative care and infection control, highlighting how you deliver compassionate care while adhering to infection prevention protocols.

Palliative Care Support – 5N3769
Infection Prevention and Control – 5N3734

Infection Prevention & Control Course Module (Level 5)

The first module provides learners with the knowledge needed to prevent and control infections in healthcare settings. By completing this infection prevention & control course module, you’ll gain the essential skills necessary to apply infection control best practices, ensuring a safer environment for both patients and staff.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the basic principles of infection control and confidently apply them in healthcare environments.
• Confidently demonstrate your knowledge of practical competencies in infection prevention. These assessments require completing tasks that show your ability to implement infection control measures effectively.
• Learn about the prevention, identification, treatment, and management of nosocomial infections (hospital-acquired infections).
• Develop the ability to maintain a safe environment for staff, patients, and visitors, applying standard precautions to minimise infection risks.

This module is for anyone involved in healthcare who wants to ensure best practice in infection control.

Palliative Care Course Module (Level 5)

The Palliative Care Course module focuses on developing the knowledge and skills needed to provide compassionate care to individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

This important module ensures that care is delivered with dignity, privacy, and respect, while supporting the needs of both the patient and their family.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how to care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, ensuring that not only their physical needs are met, but also their emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Learn to communicate empathetically with patients, families, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams, ensuring clear and supportive interactions.
• Recognise that each person’s approach to death is deeply personal. This course emphasises the importance of respecting their wishes and enhancing their quality of life.
• Equip yourself with the skills to provide emotional and practical support to both the patient and their loved ones during this critical phase of care.

This palliative care course module prepares healthcare professionals to deliver end-of-life care that is respectful, compassionate, and tailored to each individual’s unique needs.

Find out more key facts about Palliative care from WHO.

Infection Prevention & Control Course Content

Basic Microbiology

• Micro-organisms
• The infection process
• The chain of infection.

Principles of Infection Control: Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions

• Standard precautions & transmission based precautions
• Personal protective equipment
• Hand hygiene
• Decontamination
• Principles of hygiene
• Terminal cleaning
• Single – use medical devices
• Safe handling of body fluids
• Linen segregation
• Segregation of waste.

Healthcare-Associated Infections

• Healthcare associated infections
• MRSA
• Norvirus
• Clostridium Difficle
• Tuberculosis
• Influenza
• Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci
• Blood borne pathogens
• Food Safety.

Health Management:

• The health information and quality authority
• National standards
• Infection prevention policies
• Role of the infection control team
• Uniform Policy
• Needle and sharps prevention and management
• First aid management if injury occurs.
• Notification of infectious diseases and outbreaks
• Travel Associated Infections.

Palliative Care Course Content

The nature of palliative care

• The philosophy and principles of palliative care
• Attitudes towards death and dying
• The role of healthcare assistants in palliative care
• Palliative care services and the role of multidisciplinary team

Person-centred care

• Determining well-being and end of life needs
• Physical care
• Promoting dignity, privacy, and self-esteem
• Communication and emotional care
• Spiritual care
• Caring for families and friends

Grief, bereavement, and loss

• Care in the last hours of life
• Grief, bereavement, and loss