Experts share their vision for the future of end of life care

Professor Bee Wee CBE (right) and Dr Sue Baron

Professor Bee Wee CBE, former national clinical director for end-of-life care at NHS England and a leading figure in palliative medicine delivered a guest lecture at BU, "The Future of Palliative and End of Life Care," 

She was speaking at an event hosted by BU's Faculty of Health and Social Sciences and Lewis Manning Hospice Care on 5th February 2025.

The event brought together members of local communities, nursing students and educators, researchers, health professionals, and staff and volunteers from Lewis Manning Hospice Care. Prominent figures from NHS Dorset Integrated Care Partnership, Dorset Integrated Care Board, and the Burdett Trust for Nursing also attended. 

In addition, specialist professionals in palliative and end-of-life care from hospices and NHS Hospital Trusts across Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight attended the event, which provided a chance to discuss collaboration and knowledge-sharing among healthcare professionals and students in this critical field. 

Key highlights of the afternoon, apart from the keynote lecture by Professor Bee Wee, included a presentation by BU PhD student Cathy Beresford, who is investigating experiences of care in advanced liver disease at Lewis Manning Hospice.

Professor Bee Wee and BU graduates (Left to Right) Tina, Julia and Christina.

During a panel discussion, led by Professor Bee Wee, recently graduated nursing students from Bournemouth University—Tina Smith, Julia Copson, and Christina Keeping -  shared their experiences as recipients of Lewis Manning Hospice Care Scholarships. The graduates offered valuable insights into the practical application of palliative care principles in their new professional roles as registered nurses working in a hospice, a specialist palliative care unit, and acute stroke unit in Dorset. 

The event also included an introduction to BU's Centre for Wellbeing and Long-term Health, with presentations by Professor Sam Porter and Dr. Duncan Randall on ongoing research within the centre and various aspects of palliative and end-of-life care. 

"We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Lewis Manning Hospice Care Visiting Professor Lecture," said Dr. Sue Baron, Principal Academic at Bournemouth University. "It was an incredibly enriching experience to bring together so many dedicated professionals and students who are passionate about improving palliative and end-of-life care. Professor Bee Wee’s expertise, coupled with the variety of presentations, made for an uplifting and thought-provoking afternoon." 

The event was a collaboration led by Clare Gallie, CEO of Lewis Manning Hospice Care, and Dr. Sue Baron, Principal Academic in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University. Together, they provided attendees with a unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders in the field of palliative care, network with colleagues, and discuss future advancements in the sector. 

Looking ahead, organizers are already planning future initiatives to continue advancing the discussion and research into the future of palliative and end-of-life care.