Alison has over 20 years experience as a counsellor, social worker and educator in palliative care. She has completed doctoral research with patients and health care professionals on the impact of receiving and giving bad news.

A counsellor, supervisor and trainer in palliative care for the last twelve years, Allie is particularly interested in how enhanced communication skills can be used to address issues of risk and exclusion for patients and carers.

Andrew qualified from The Guy’s and Lewisham School of Nursing, London, in 1993 and has worked in various hospice settings, including Sir Michael Sobell House and Compton Hospice, since 1994. He has a keen interest in symptom management and effective multi-professional team work.

Rachel’s background lies in nursing and teaching, with six years working as a senior manager for a national disability voluntary organisation. Her PhD research was based at St Christopher’s Hospice, London, where she explored the spiritual needs of patients. Rachel’s findings were published in 2004 by the Oxford University Press, ‘Recognising Spiritual Needs in People Who are Dying’ , and she was awarded the 2005 Open Book Award by the Association of Medical Journalists.