Paediatric Palliative Care 9-month Certificate Course 2025

Learn more about the 9-month course

Now in its third year, PatchSA is offering a 9-month long ONLINE (virtual) comprehensive certificate course on children’s palliative care to run from 1 March – 30 November 2025.

Who should do the course?
The course is appropriate for and open to all members of the children’s palliative care multi-disciplinary team. This could include but is not restricted to doctors, nurses, medical officers, social workers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, music therapists, art therapists, psychologists, counsellors, paramedics, pharmacists, etc.

What prior learning is required?
No prior degree or diploma is required but the course does require reasonable academic ability and proficiency in English as well as a degree of computer literacy. We will be there to support you through any challenges you may have as you work through the course.

How long will the course take to complete?
The course will take 9 months to complete and will run from 1 March – 30 November 2025. We estimate that you will need to spend approx. 2 hours a week or 8 hours each month over the duration of the 9-months on required course activities.

Who will be coordinating the course?
The course will be coordinated by PatchSA’s Education & Training Manager, Tracy Rawlins, with support and contributions from members of the Patch Academy Training Team.

What will I receive at the end of the course?
You will earn a certificate of completion at the end of the course endorsed by Patch Academy. While it is not an accredited course with any institute of learning, all of the online courses you will complete are accredited for CPD points with the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) and those registered with the HPCSA will earn a total of 59 CPD points. (Level 1: 24 General & 35 Ethics)

What are the course requirements?
In order to complete this course, it is essential that you have:

  • A strong desire to learn about children’s palliative care including both clinical and psychosocial aspects of care
  • The willingness to make the time and a commitment to the completion of the course over the 9-month period
  • Regular and reliable access to a computer, the internet and sufficient data to complete online courses and attend webinars
  • A keenness to interact with and learn from fellow participants and engage in online forums.

Do I have to be resident in South Africa to take this course?
No. While the course is aimed primarily at a South African audience, the course is open to people living in countries within sub–Saharan Africa and around the world. We welcome international students.

How much does the course cost?
The course costs R6 700 (Approx. US$375) and includes:

  • Access to all of our online Patch Academy courses
  • Attendance at 4 webinars where members of the Patch Academy Training Team and invited guests will share their knowledge and expertise
  • Personalised responses to all assignments and case studies
  • Regular reminders and progress reports on where you are at during the course
  • Access to one-on-one assistance during working hours
  • Access to and participation in online forums
  • A final assessment quiz to consolidate learning
  • A certificate of completion for the 9-month Comprehensive Course if completed in time
  • 24 General and 35 Ethics CPD points from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) for those registered with the HPCSA

Discount
A 15% discount on the full price of the course is offered to any paying member of PatchSA. You can click here to join PatchSA as a member today and once registered, claim your discount. Annual membership costs between R200 – R400, depending on your qualifications.

Bursaries
Applications for bursaries is open. To apply, please CLICK HERE

Payment
Once registered, we will send you an invoice for the amount due and payment can be made directly into our bank account via EFT.

Refunds: Once you have started the course in March 2025, no refunds will be paid if you are not able to complete it, however, you will still be provided with access to the online courses over the 9-months. Any refunds requested before 1 March will be subject to a 15% admin fee.  

When does registration close?
Registration for the course will close on Monday 3rd February 2025.

Registration

On completion and submission of the form below you will receive an invoice with banking details for an EFT payment into the PatchSA banking account.

Registration for 9-month Certificate Course

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