What We Do

About the EAPC

Recognised by the Council of Europe, the EAPC lobbies and actively engages with EU policy-makers and other stakeholder to advocate, anticipate and proactively shape EU health and research policies on palliative care issues.  The EAPC provides a forum for all of those either working, or with an interest in palliative care throughout Europe and beyond. Currently the EAPC represents 60 member associations from 33 European countries and three from Australia.  The EAPC also has individual members from 52 countries globally.  Members are engaged in palliative care across the lifespan from a range of perspectives: specialist and generalist clinical practice, education, professional groups, policy and research.  The EAPC is respectful of the cultural and political diversity of our members and aims to speak with ‘one voice and one vision’ on matters that are important in palliative care.  The EAPC lobbies and advocates for the development of palliative care through its activities and through its work in developing the practice of palliative care.

Our history, read more

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is the active, total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Palliative care takes a holistic approach, addressing physical, psychosocial and spiritual care, including the treatment of pain and other symptoms. Palliative care is interdisciplinary in its approach and encompasses the care of the patient and their family and should be available in any location including hospital, hospice and community. Palliative care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process; it neither hastens nor postpones death and sets out to preserve the best possible quality of life until death. The World Health Organization definition of palliative care and palliative care for children can be found here. More detailed information on palliative care can be found in the EAPC White Paper on standards and norms for hospice and palliative care in Europe

Mission Statement

The European Association for Palliative Care is a membership organisation dedicated to lobbying and advocating for the promotion and development of palliative care throughout Europe

Mission:

To influence, promote and advocate for the delivery of high quality palliative care across the life span by fostering and sharing palliative care  education, research, policy and evidence-based practice.

Vision:

One voice, one vision.  To lobby and advocate for a world without preventable suffering where those with life-threatening illnesses and their families have timely access to high quality palliative care as an integral part of the healthcare system.

Core Values:

  • Strive for excellence in palliative care
  • Value interdisciplinary working and representation
  • Respect diversity
  • Work collaboratively

Strategic Objectives

To enable the EAPC to advocate and lobby for better palliative care in Europe and beyond, the EAPC strategic objectives are to:
  1. Support global advocacy organisations and other initiatives seeking to develop palliative care in resource poor countries around the world
  2. Be a strong, successful and sustainable European membership organisation focused on palliative care
  3. Through education to Increase awareness, knowledge and skills related to palliative care for health care workers, the public and volunteers
  4. Improve and strengthen the ways we engage with our members
  5. Support and disseminate research and development on all aspects of palliative care
  6. Support and lobby for the growth and integration of palliative care in countries throughout Europe
  7. Support the development and progression of palliative care education for all of those working in palliative care
  8. Acknowledge the importance of the role of palliative care policy development and be an effective and powerful advocate for access to, and improvement of palliative care throughout Europe
  9. Facilitate the ongoing development of palliative care leadership nationally and internationally
  10. Collaborate effectively with affiliated organisations and seek opportunities to foster new collaborations and partnerships
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