The Inspiring Leadership Programme aims to support specialist palliative care teams adopt a more proactive approach to service delivery and to embed the values, behaviours and attitudes of leadership. Developed and launched in 2017, the programme was originally developed to help identify Clinical Nurse Specialists and other Allied Health Professionals from specialist palliative care teams and prepare them for future roles.
The programme is open to all registered health or social care professionals or senior colleagues working within specialist palliative care in Scotland, (this includes Specialist Trainees in palliative medicine and those working at AFC band 6 or 7 or senior equivalent).
The next Inspiring Leadership programme will commence in September 2026.
Registration is now OPEN via our online form but if you'd like to discuss anything with the team contact ggc.carepalliative@nhs.scot
You can also download a copy of our 2026 - 2027 programme flyer
| 2026 | 2027 | |||||
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
| Wednesday 16 September |
Wednesday 4 November |
Tuesday 19 January |
Tuesday 2 March |
Wednesday 28 April |
Wednesday 26 May |
Tuesday 22 June |
Resources for 2024/25 cohort (password required)
Community of Practice Networking Event
Our first Community of Practice Networking Event was held on Friday 4th April 2025. This was a free all-day event open to ILP alumni and anyone signed up for the next programme. The day was a great success and participants were asked to share one word to summarise their experience.
Event Schedule and Speakers - Inspiring Leadership Programme on Twitter/X
Target Participants/ Eligibility
Registered health or social care professionals or senior colleagues working within specialist palliative care in Scotland. (this includes Specialist Trainees in palliative medicine and those working at AFC band 6 or 7 or senior equivalent )
The participant will:
Build their self-awareness, personal effectiveness, and resilience.
Exhibit leadership behaviours consistent with creating an enabling culture for transforming services for patients and their families.
Provide effective leadership and management within teams and across professional and organizational boundaries focused on service excellence.
Create conditions where people can play to strengths, think creatively, and work collaboratively to overcome obstacles to the change process.
Deliver a QI project which demonstrates an impact on patient & family care and experience.
Deliver a QI project which will present a valuable development opportunity through involvement in leading and delivering change.
Develop a network of support and start a process to place participant on a potential succession planning pathway.
Enhance knowledge of local, national, and international policy drivers for palliative care supporting strategies and processes for the required culture change.
Programme delivery
All training and support will be delivered online.
Programme Length
7 online classroom days delivered over a 12 month period + 1 individual two hour coaching/feedback session identifying strengths & development needs (following participation in 360 feedback tool).
Participants must commit to all 7 online classroom days.
Next Programme Dates (Cohort 8)
Day 1. Wednesday 16th September 2026
Day 2. Wednesday 4th November 2026
Day 3. Tuesday 19th January 2027
Day 4. Tuesday 2nd March 2027
Day 5. Wednesday 28th April 2027
Day 6. Wednesday 26th May 2027
Day 7. Tuesday 22nd June 2027
Programme Teaching Methods
Online face to face teaching, project work and self-directed learning.
Programme Fee
£400 for the 12 month programme.
Providing institutions/Partners
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice
Strathcarron Hospice
Hazel M Mackenzie Consulting
Programme Facilitators
Claire O’Neill, NHSGGC Lead Nurse & CSM for Palliative Care
Liz Smith, Practice Educator, Strathcarron Hospice Denny
Elaine O’Donnell, NHSGGC Palliative Care Practice Development Facilitator
Lorna Reid, Lead for Education and Collaborative Training, Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice
Hazel Mackenzie, Hazel M Mackenzie Consulting
To register you interest or for more information please email: ggc.carepalliative@nhs.scot
You can also follow us on Twitter @nhsggcpallead
NHSGGC - Palliative Care