When A Child Dies - Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 June 2025

11 Jun 2025 9 a.m. to 12 Jun 2025 5 p.m.

Clinical Simulation, GOSH Learning Academy Events

Caring for patients and their families at the end of life and after death can be complex and challenging for healthcare workers.

The "When A Child Dies" course aims to support healthcare practitioners to navigate the care of patients and families during and beyond death. The course provides an opportunity to explore conversations and practical considerations around anticipation of death, the death of a patient, and post death care.

Course Overview

This two-day course is delivered in a hybrid format. Day one takes place online and day two takes place at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. 

By joining the course, learners will benefit from interactive talks, reflective sessions, simulation scenarios and debrief discussions.  

Course structure

Day one: Virtual Course

Day two: Face to face at Great Ormond Street Clinical Simulation Centre

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to feel more confident in the following aspects of care:

  • To understand the differences between expected and unexpected death
  • Consider ways in which to care for families before and after the death of their child
  • Introduce practical aspects of care for the patient after death (both expected and unexpected)
  • Understand the roles of different professionals and agencies when a child dies
  • Explore effective communication strategies to draw from when a child dies
  • Prompt consideration of spiritual, cultural, and religious needs of families
  • Introduce the legal aspects of death processes including child death review
  • Reflect on support available from teams such as bereavement, mortuary, and chaplaincy and outside the Trust
  • Reflect on the impact child death can have on ourselves and explore strategies to support staff

Is this course for me?

All healthcare workers looking after paediatric patients.

Registration information

The course is £400 for External to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) staff for the full two days (including lunch on Day two). The course is £150 for internal to GOSH staff.

Payment can be made through the booking link or by invoice.

Find out more information about requesting an invoice

We regularly add new dates, so please check back here, or contact us for further information.

For any queries please contact: Simulation Team

For future dates and to be the first to find out, add your name to the GOSH Clinical Simulation Centre waitlist.

Course dates available to book