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Care Skills and Competencies
Updated: 28 Mar 2025

Verification of Expected Death (VoED)

£20
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Updated:
28 Mar 2025
20 People
Recommended
Duration
Minimum 30 mins
100% Online
Course
365 Days
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Full
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The Verification of Expected Death (VoED) course is designed for healthcare professionals involved in palliative and end-of-life care. This training provides a comprehensive understanding of how to perform VoED competently, ensuring compliance with UK legal, ethical, and professional standards. VoED is a non-medical procedure conducted to confirm death in patients with advanced illness, where death is anticipated and does not require immediate medical intervention.

Participants will explore the legal framework, clinical indicators, and procedural steps for verifying an expected death, alongside the responsibilities of healthcare professionals in this context. The course also addresses sensitive communication with families and carers, emphasising the importance of upholding dignity and respect for the deceased. Key topics include recognising signs of imminent death, differentiating between expected and unexpected deaths, and ensuring accurate documentation and reporting.

By completing this course, healthcare professionals will gain the knowledge and confidence to perform VoED procedures with compassion, professionalism, and adherence to established protocols, contributing to dignified and patient-centred end-of-life care.

£20
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Learning Outcomes.

By the end of this course,
participants will be able:

To understand the legal and ethical framework governing Verification of Expected Death (VoED) in the UK.

To identify clinical indicators and key criteria for determining an expected death.

To apply procedural steps for verifying expected death in line with UK guidelines.

To communicate sensitively and effectively with families during the VoED process.

To recognise the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals involved in VoED.

To ensure dignity and respect are maintained throughout the verification process.

Course
Contents.

01
Understanding Death

Clinical indicators and signs of imminent death.

03
Clinical Criteria for Verification

Key conditions for confirming an expected death.

05
Referrals and Reporting

Guidelines for coroner or police involvement when required.

08
Professional Roles and Responsibilities

Understanding the duties of healthcare staff in VoED.

06
Communication with Families

Techniques for supporting and informing bereaved families sensitively.

09
Upholding Dignity

Best practices for ensuring respect for the deceased and their families.

02
Legal and Ethical Frameworks

Relevant UK legislation, guidelines, and professional standards for VoED.

04
Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR)

Understanding DNAR orders and their implications.

07
Documentation and Record-Keeping

Accurate reporting requirements for VoED procedures.

10
End-of-Life Care Principles

Integrating compassion and sensitivity into VoED practices.

This Verification of Expected Death (VoED) course equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to verify expected deaths competently and compassionately. Aligned with UK guidelines, the course ensures participants are confident in addressing legal, ethical, and clinical considerations while maintaining dignity, sensitivity, and professionalism in end-of-life care.

Summary