The future of clinical nurse specialists delivering end of life care in the community

This paper describes the role of clinical nurse specialist as it has grown up in nursing and in the field of specialist palliative care in particular. It outlines some of the challenges for the role as well as the positive impact on patient and family care. The paper concludes with thoughts on the future development of the role and sets out a number of recommendations to the Commission.

This paper is part of a series of contributions to the Commission into the Future of Hospice Care. The aim of the Commission into the Future of Hospice Care is to help hospices look ahead so they can anticipate and meet the changing and growing needs of the communities they serve.

• Penny Hansford

Published by Help the Hospices in 2013.