Researchers in Palliative and End-of-Life Support (RIPELS)

We aim to co-develop and conduct research to inform and support the delivery of dignified and compassionate care toward the end of one’s life. We want to support the strengthening of evidence for enhancing community health and care practice in this field.

Our vision is for high quality research activities and outputs in the field of end-of-life care that facilitate the translation of research findings into practice and education across the South West and beyond. 

The RIPELS group sits within the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR), as part of its ‘Research Across the Lifecourse’ theme at the University of Plymouth. We are researchers from a range of disciplines (the Arts and Humanities, Business, Health and Social Care) working in partnership with our local health and social care and community providers and other stakeholders.

Our work is focused on South West England, an area with a population of 2.3m living in one of the least densely populated parts of the UK; however the relevance of our work reaches beyond our geographical region.  

Our members work with all stakeholders to identify the priorities for research in the South West, exploring questions such as: