Volunteers in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Resource for Voluntary Service Managers

Author(s): Edited by Rosalind Scott, Stephen Howlett

Palliative Care

The book provides comprehensive, practical guidelines on the responsibilities of those who lead, co-ordinate and manage volunteers in small hospices, large specialist palliative care units, and in general hospitals with palliative care teams. Volunteers are key workers, who often perform difficult and important work.


In the United Kingdom alone there are thousands of volunteers in hospice work, a small proportion doing work with patients, and the vast majority doing equally valuable work such as driving, sitting with relatives, manning charity shops and telephones. As a result, Europe, Australia, the United States and Canada are very interested in the United Kingdom's use of volunteers. Aimed primarily at Voluntary Services Managers in small hospices, large specialist palliative care units, and in general hospitals with palliative care teams, this updated second edition covers volunteer selection, training, supervision and support, and legal and ethical considerations.


Information is presented in an easily accessible way, using key points, summary panels and checklists. This book will also appeal to the volunteers themselves.


Product Information

1. Introduction; 2. Setting the scene: the landscape of volunteering; 3. The management role of the Voluntary Services Manager; 4. Considering Quality and Measuring Impact; 5. The selection of volunteers; 6. The training and education of volunteers; 7. The support of volunteers; 8. Volunteering and legal issues; 9. Professionals working as volunteers; 10. Ethical Issues for VSMs in Hospice Care; 11. Volunteers working in a bereavement service; 12. Volunteers in a Children's Hospice; 13. Volunteers working in a comprehensive palliative care service in Australia; 14. Volunteers working in a community palliative care service; 15. Volunteers working in a tertiary referral teaching hospital; 16. Neighbourhood Network in Palliative Care, Kerala, India; Glossary; Index

General Fields

  • : 9780199545827
  • : Oxford University Press
  • : Oxford University Press
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Edited by Rosalind Scott, Stephen Howlett
  • : Paperback
  • : Second Revised Edition