The APPM holds various educational and training events
Our main event is the annual one and a half day conference for general paediatricians, trainees, children’s and adults’ hospice doctors, specialists in paediatric and adult palliative medicine, nurses and allied health professionals working in paediatric palliative care.
This event is open to APPM members and non-members alike.
APPM Paediatric Palliative Care Conference 2023
Thursday 16 and Friday 17 November 2023
Hilton Birmingham Metropole,
The NEC Birmingham, Pendigo Way, Birmingham B40 1PP

The focus for 2023 is supporting children and young people to transition from paediatric to adult services.
Day one: Our education half day 2023 will focus on showcasing the education opportunities available across the UK and internationally. We are delighted to be joined by two keynote speakers:
Dr Ann Goldman, the first paediatric palliative care consultant in the UK and editor of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Care for Children; and
Dr Rachel Clarke, author of Dear Life, Breathtaking and Your Life in My Hands, and adult palliative care doctor.
Day two: We are delighted to be able to announce two keynote speakers:
Baroness Ilora Finlay of Llandaff who has worked tirelessly both in practice and parliament to guarantee palliative care for all since the 1970s. A former President of the Royal College of Medicine, from Cardiff, she is a professor of palliative medicine at Cardiff University School of Medicine and is Consultant at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. On 28 June 2001 she was made a life peer as Baroness Finlay of Llandaff in the county of South Glamorgan.
Alex Ruck-Keene KC (Hon), who is an experienced barrister, writer and educator. His practice is focused on mental capacity, mental health and healthcare law. He also writes extensively, editing and contributing to leading textbooks and (amongst many other publications) the 39 Essex Chambers Mental Capacity Law Report, the "bible" for solicitors (and others) working in the area. He is the creator of the website Mental Capacity Law & Policy, providing resources and expert commentary on some of the most difficult mental capacity issues.
Early bird tickets are now available (until 4 August) with additional discount for APPM members
Call for Abstracts for Poster Presentations
The Association for Paediatric Palliative Medicine invites colleagues working with life limited children and families to submit abstracts for our Annual Conference.
This year’s meeting will feature a poster session on the second day at which attendees can present their audits, research, or quality improvement projects. We welcome abstracts related to all aspects of care. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your work in the area of palliative care and to share best practice with interested professionals from around the country.
To submit an abstract, please download APPM abstract submission form, complete it and submit to admin@appm.org.uk.
Please submit your abstracts to us by 18 August. Members of the APPM Executive Committee will review your abstract and you will be notified of acceptance by the beginning of October.
PAST EVENTS
12th APPM Paediatric Palliative Care Research and Study Day 2022
Day 1 APPM Research day
9th June 2022
Topics and speakers:
Prof Ian CK Wong, Professor in Pharmacy Practice, UCL School of Pharmacy / Hong Kong University - Chief Investigator for DIPPER Study
Ian will discuss the feasibility of conducting RCCTs in our patient population from the point of view of an experienced Pharmacist Lead Researcher, drawing on the findings of the recent NIHR-funded DIPPER study (Feasibility of a randomised clinical trial of transmucosal diamorphine vs oral morphine for breakthrough pain in children and young people with life-limiting conditions)
Prof Christina Liossi, Chair in Paediatric Psychology, University of Southampton & Chair of NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Pain & Palliative Care Clinical Studies Group (CSG) – Chief Investigator for PARAMOUNT (End-of-Life pain management by carers and healthcare professionals in infants, children and young people out of hospital).
Christina will discuss the recently completed PARAMOUNT study and also the role of the CSG in promoting and supporting research on our sector.
Prof Lorna Fraser, Professor of Epidemiology, Director of Martin House Research Centre, is the Chief Investigator in Developing the UK Collaborative Paediatric Palliative cAre Research (CoPPAR) Network.
Lorna will talk about the CoPPaR network, as well as other studies on the Martin House portfolio, as examples of the range of research opportunities available.
Prof Richard Harding, Herbert Dunhill Chair and Director of the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, and Lucy Coombs, Lead investigator, C-POS study.
Lucy & Richard will talk about the work to date on the C-POS (Children’s Palliative Care Outcome Scale) study and the ongoing pilot phase.
Day 2 APPM Study day
10th June 2022
Topics and speakers:
Launch of the national CYACP document
Launch of the APPM clinical guidelines
– seizures, agitation, GI dystonia
Headline sessions:
Respiratory and cardiac advances – implications for palliative care
Panel discussions on complex clinical management of palliative patients
Shifting perceptions in paediatric palliative care
Breakout sessions
Physiotherapy advances in respiratory and long-term ventilation
Withdrawal of long-term ventilation – a parent’s perspective
Spirituality within palliative care
Role of medical examiner
Focused sessions
Rapid fire journal club
Nurses’ forum – to launch APPM nurse membership including regular networking and non-medical prescribing supervision.
If you didn’t sign up for the webinar series, you can register for access to recordings of the webinar series below. (£5 plus booking fee)