Complementary Therapies in Palliative Care

With Gwyn Featonby From Butterwick Children's Hospice

Friday 25th, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September 2009

Complementary therapies are increasingly utilised within cancer and palliative care settings where there is a huge emphasis on the provision of holistic care.

The aim of this course is to assist practitioners in developing a clear working knowledge of the complex physical and emotional needs of those diagnosed with a life threatening illness. In doing so we aim not only to enhance quality of provision for the patient, but to support the practitioner helping them to develop, progress and maintain their own balance and well-being.

The course is suitable for qualified complementary therapists with no previous experience of working with patients who have cancer or palliative needs.

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to Palliative care and the role of the complementary therapist     
• What is Cancer and how is it diagnosed and treated?
• Total Pain Concept/ pain management, both medical and complementary therapy approaches
• Managing Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation and fatigue
• Hematology Patients and their Care                    
• Integrated Practice and working within the health care setting including policy,  consent, and the role of the multi professional team
• Practitioner self care, Reflective Practice and supervision
• An introduction to patients with lymphoedema and practical sessions on creaming techniques.
• Adapting treatment for the sick patient including positioning, stomas, and drug infusion sites.

The course will be delivered with an emphasis on case history approaches.           

        Gwyn Featonby. BSc (hons 1st class) Promoting Practice Effectiveness (complementary Therapies). RGN, RSCN Head of Complementary Therapies Services Butterwick Hospice and Butterwick House Children’s Hospice


Gwyn is a registered adult and children’s nurse with a first class degree in complementary therapies. She holds qualifications in Clinical Aromatherapy, Clinical Reflexology, Medical and dental Hypnotherapy and Acupuncture. Gwyn has been nursing for 27 years practicing complementary therapies for most of this time but since joining the Hospice in 1998 has been able to integrate the two roles providing a holistic service. As head of complementary therapies at Butterwick Hospice she manages a team of 18 practitioners who collectively deliver more than 5000 treatments each year to adults, children and carers of those with life threatening conditions throughout Stockton and the Durham Dales. A large part of Gwyns role is to educate nurses, doctors and allied health professionals about the use of complementary therapies within the health care setting, and to teach complementary therapy practitioners about the specialized areas of palliative and pediatric palliative care thus supporting a more globally integrated approach to patient care. The service has attracted a number of awards including the cancer nursing societies most innovative practice award, and has been published in a number of prestigious journals and publications.

Venue: Sue Lincoln School of Holistic Therapies, Evron Centre, John Street, Filey North Yorkshire, YO14 9DW
E-mail: info@suelincoln.co.uk; www.suelincoln.co.uk

Tel: 01723 518048, 07984594532

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