QMU and hospice unite to advance palliative care
Queen Margaret University is to run a unique event with St Columba’s Hospice Care which will strengthen the special working bond between both organisations, and improve person-centred care for people in hospice care.
The knowledge exchange event will bring together leaders and colleagues from both organisations to celebrate and further develop their long-standing partnership in palliative care. This partnership, which has been instrumental in advancing palliative care teaching and research, was formally recognised with in 2022. This accolade helps to confirm the quality of research and teaching at St Columba’s Hospice Care and its position at the forefront of palliative care in the UK.
The shared vision of QMU and St Columba’s Hospice Care is to provide high-quality, person-centred care and support for those in need of palliative and end-of-life care.
Professor Erna Haraldsdottir, Deputy Head, Division of Nursing & Paramedic Science at Queen Margaret University, confirmed: “Both of our organisations are committed to generating new knowledge that is co-produced and has an immediate positive impact on practice. This event will support further development of our unique partnership through teaching, student placements, clinical academic roles, and research opportunities.
“We are also excited to look at ways we can continue to extend our collaborative work by utilising other areas of the University’s expertise - in business, hospitality, and culture - to support new developments in hospice care.”
Professor Haraldsdottir concluded: “We are proud to work creatively together to advance palliative care and to explore new opportunities for collaboration that will benefit our students, staff, and the wider community. We look forward to gaining valuable insights, exchanging ideas, and fostering new relationships that can drive forward collaborative working and strengthen knowledge exchange.”
"We are delighted to celebrate and strengthen our partnership with Queen Margaret University through this important event. Over the past years, our collaboration has driven positive developments in palliative care education and research, and we look forward to exploring new opportunities to diversify and improve person-centred care even further. By bringing together expertise from both organisations, we can continue to innovate, share best practices, and ultimately make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in our care."
The QMU and St Columba Hospice Care knowledge exchange event will take place on 28th March 2025, from 10am to 2pm, in the Halle Lecture Theatre at Queen Margaret University.
For more information about the event, contact Professor Erna Haraldsdottir E: eharaldsdottir@qmu.ac.uk
For further media information, please contact Lynne Russell, Communications Manager, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk; (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk) M: 07711 011239.
