January 2026 - Evaluating a Stakeholder-Led ‘Audience With’ Panel Enhancing Nursing Students’ Understanding of Heart Failure Palliative Care

Sharing Our Lived Experience

We were invited to speak about our personal experiences of living with heart failure and to explain what palliative care means for patients facing this condition. Our involvement included participating in a panel discussion that explored the role palliative care plays in the management of heart failure. A key point raised was the widespread misconception that palliative care is intended only for end-of-life situations.

In reality, palliative care should be introduced much earlier, providing comprehensive support that encompasses not just the patient but also their family.  By adopting a holistic approach, palliative care can be made accessible whenever it is needed, ensuring that individuals and their loved ones receive the care and assistance they require throughout the course of the illness.

The Current State of Palliative Care in Heart Failure

Despite national and international guidelines recommending palliative care for people with heart failure, it has not yet become a standard component of routine heart failure management.

Palliative care should start early to offer broad support for patients and their families.