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Irene Higginson

Professor Irene Higginson OBE

Director of Better Health and Care Futures

  • Founding Professor, Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation
  • Professor of Palliative Care & Policy

Research interests

  • Palliative care

Biography

Professor Irene Higginson, OBE, is the Director of Better Health and Care Futures. She is Professor of Palliative Care & Policy, Founding Professor of the Cicely Saunders Institute, Honorary Consultant in Palliative Medicine, NIHR Emeritus Senior Investigator and Fellow of the Academy of Sciences. 

She is dual-trained and registered in palliative medicine and public health medicine. Professor Higginson is active in research and education and in the top 1% of highly cited academics. She teaches MSc, medical and PhD students. Through her current research programmes, she investigates treatments, symptom management, access and services in palliative care. She has published over 700 articles in peer-reviewed journals, plus several books. 

Professor Higginson is Scientific Director for the charity Cicely Saunders International. Her research has pioneered better ways to measure outcomes and quality of life, evaluate palliative care especially new services and interventions, epidemiology, effectiveness, psychosocial care, symptom assessment, breathlessness, cachexia/anorexia, and multi-morbidity.

Research interests

Quality of life and outcome measurements; evaluation of palliative care especially of new services and interventions; epidemiology; effectiveness; psychosocial care; symptom assessment; breathlessness; cachexia/anorexia; multi-morbidity; COVID-19

Research profile

The publication feed is not currently available.

Research

girl with family childrens hospital balloons csi  780x450
C-POS: Children’s Palliative care Outcome Scale

C-POS will be a person-centred outcome measure to be used by children, young people and families affected by life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Project status: Ongoing

Breathlessness woman holding chest csi 780x450
Better Treatments for Refractory Breathlessness

Better Treatments for Refractory Breathlessness (BETTER-B) aims to improve the lives of people with severe breathlessness.

Project status: Completed

data networking csi project 780x450
Big & Routine Data-Based Palliative & End of Life Care Research

The big data research projects include a range of research studies using large-scale routinely collected datasets to explore various end-of-life outcomes.

Project status: Ongoing

frail hands elderly lady csi project 780x450
International Access Rights & Empowerment II

IARE II is an observational study of frail older people who do not have access to specialist palliative care services.

Project status: Ongoing

elderly man in wheelchair looking out window csi project 780x450 (9)
Better End of Life Project

Understanding experiences of dying, death, and bereavement in the UK, and compelling local and national policy-makers to act to improve people’s experiences.

Project status: Ongoing

dementia older lady reminder red string on finger csi project 780x450
Understanding Factors that Influence End-of-Life Decisions in Older Adults with Dementia

Investigating the systems-level factors that contribute to burdensome end-of-life care in older adults with dementia.

Project status: Ongoing

hospital emergency room uk elderly man wheelchair csi project 780x450
Understanding Factors that Influence Why People with Dementia Make Transitions from the Community to Acute Hospital Care Settings in the Last Months of Life

Utilising routine data to understand why people with dementia move between healthcare settings in the months preceding their death.

Project status: Ongoing

nurse talking to cancer patient csi project 780x450
Understanding the Impact of Community Health & Social Care Services on Hospitalisation in the Last Months of Life

Examining primary and community health care and hospital admissions among people with cancer in their last 90 days of life.

Project status: Ongoing

couple talking to nurse csi project 780x450
Methods for Researching End of Life Care - Processes of consent

Methods for Researching End of Life Care (MORECare) is developing best practice guidance and processes of consent for adults lacking capacity.

Project status: Completed

older man consultation csi project 780x450
Managing Care for Adults During Clinical Uncertainty in Community Hospitals

Development and feasibility evaluation of a new Symptom & Psychosocial Assessment & Communication Evaluation (SPACE) tool.

Project status: Ongoing

News

Professor Irene Higginson recognised as a Highly Cited Researcher in the world

Highly Cited Researchers List names the top 1% in their field in the world by citations.

Irene Higginson

Better Health and Care Futures set to tackle global health and care challenges

Initiative will address the rising tide of inequity, multimorbidity, and complex conditions.

Medical staff smiling and chatting in a group

King's draws together expertise to make the world healthier and advance our understanding of intelligence

Two new multidisciplinary research institutes have been created at King’s to help tackle major challenges for society and find innovative ways to advance...

Images of heart-rate health monitors, medicines, human brain and artificial intelligence.

Navigating the NHS, present and future

Annette Boaz, Irene Higginson and Mary Malone outline the challenges facing healthcare

NHS sign

King's colleagues attend Parliamentary reception to discuss new Impact Centre for Palliative and End-of-Life Care

The reception, hosted by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, was focused on improving palliative and end-of-life care and reducing inequalities.

house of lords visit katherine sleeman

Professor Vibhu Paudyal appointed new Professor of Health Services Research & Inequalities

Vibhu Paudyal, a leading researcher and educator in inclusion health has been appointed Professor of Health Services Research & Inequalities within the...

A professional headshot of Professor Vibhu Paudyal against a white background

Celebrating NMPC staff and student success for International Women's Day 2024

To celebrate IWD 2024, in Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care we're celebrating the impact and successes of women in the Faculty.

NMPC IWD 2024 (3)

Professor Irene Higginson named #30 in top UK female scientist rankings

The leading academic research portal, Research.com has announced its list of Top Female Sciences in 2023.

Professor Irene Higginson

King's academics make the Best Female Scientists in the World 2023 Ranking

Five scientists from King’s have been ranked as some of the top female scientists in the world for this year by Research.com.

Professor Francesca Happe, Professor Janet Treasure, Professor Lucilla Poston, Professor Irene Higginson and Professor Cathryn Lewis

Cicely Saunders International welcomes new Life President and Chair

John McGrath has stepped down as Chair and Trustee to become a Life President of Cicely Saunders International, alongside former Trustee Christopher Saunders....

Kate Kirk and John McGrath

Events

19Nov

Better Health & Care Futures launch at the House of Lords

In support of the Better Health and Care Futures initiative, Baroness Mary Watkins hosted an event at the House of Lords to discuss the pivotal role of...

Please note: this event has passed.

24Mar

Perseverance Trust Nightingale Fellowship Lecture 2022

This annual online lecture features talks from our staff, students and Nightingale Fellowship Award winners.

Please note: this event has passed.

05Nov

Cicely Saunders International Annual Lecture 2020

Palliative care in an era of COVID-19: Perspectives from three continents

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

Navigating the NHS, present and future: how might an incoming government respond?

Ahead of the general election PROFESSOR IRENE HIGGINSON looks at how the NHS can move forward, from failings and criticisms and into a better future.

NHS sign

Spotlight

Transforming the management of breathlessness in advanced illness

The drug-free support helping people cope with breathlessness

Illustration of ideas for breathlessness research

  • MSc in Palliative Care: Applying Epidemiology in Palliative Care (7MMPAC08)
  • Research Methods & Statistics in Palliative Care (7MMPAC01)
  • PhD Supervision - open to taking PhD students in the areas of interest above;  active programme of supervising a small number of students as first supervisor. 

The publication feed is not currently available.

Research

girl with family childrens hospital balloons csi  780x450
C-POS: Children’s Palliative care Outcome Scale

C-POS will be a person-centred outcome measure to be used by children, young people and families affected by life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Project status: Ongoing

Breathlessness woman holding chest csi 780x450
Better Treatments for Refractory Breathlessness

Better Treatments for Refractory Breathlessness (BETTER-B) aims to improve the lives of people with severe breathlessness.

Project status: Completed

data networking csi project 780x450
Big & Routine Data-Based Palliative & End of Life Care Research

The big data research projects include a range of research studies using large-scale routinely collected datasets to explore various end-of-life outcomes.

Project status: Ongoing

frail hands elderly lady csi project 780x450
International Access Rights & Empowerment II

IARE II is an observational study of frail older people who do not have access to specialist palliative care services.

Project status: Ongoing

elderly man in wheelchair looking out window csi project 780x450 (9)
Better End of Life Project

Understanding experiences of dying, death, and bereavement in the UK, and compelling local and national policy-makers to act to improve people’s experiences.

Project status: Ongoing

dementia older lady reminder red string on finger csi project 780x450
Understanding Factors that Influence End-of-Life Decisions in Older Adults with Dementia

Investigating the systems-level factors that contribute to burdensome end-of-life care in older adults with dementia.

Project status: Ongoing

hospital emergency room uk elderly man wheelchair csi project 780x450
Understanding Factors that Influence Why People with Dementia Make Transitions from the Community to Acute Hospital Care Settings in the Last Months of Life

Utilising routine data to understand why people with dementia move between healthcare settings in the months preceding their death.

Project status: Ongoing

nurse talking to cancer patient csi project 780x450
Understanding the Impact of Community Health & Social Care Services on Hospitalisation in the Last Months of Life

Examining primary and community health care and hospital admissions among people with cancer in their last 90 days of life.

Project status: Ongoing

couple talking to nurse csi project 780x450
Methods for Researching End of Life Care - Processes of consent

Methods for Researching End of Life Care (MORECare) is developing best practice guidance and processes of consent for adults lacking capacity.

Project status: Completed

older man consultation csi project 780x450
Managing Care for Adults During Clinical Uncertainty in Community Hospitals

Development and feasibility evaluation of a new Symptom & Psychosocial Assessment & Communication Evaluation (SPACE) tool.

Project status: Ongoing

News

Professor Irene Higginson recognised as a Highly Cited Researcher in the world

Highly Cited Researchers List names the top 1% in their field in the world by citations.

Irene Higginson

Better Health and Care Futures set to tackle global health and care challenges

Initiative will address the rising tide of inequity, multimorbidity, and complex conditions.

Medical staff smiling and chatting in a group

King's draws together expertise to make the world healthier and advance our understanding of intelligence

Two new multidisciplinary research institutes have been created at King’s to help tackle major challenges for society and find innovative ways to advance...

Images of heart-rate health monitors, medicines, human brain and artificial intelligence.

Navigating the NHS, present and future

Annette Boaz, Irene Higginson and Mary Malone outline the challenges facing healthcare

NHS sign

King's colleagues attend Parliamentary reception to discuss new Impact Centre for Palliative and End-of-Life Care

The reception, hosted by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, was focused on improving palliative and end-of-life care and reducing inequalities.

house of lords visit katherine sleeman

Professor Vibhu Paudyal appointed new Professor of Health Services Research & Inequalities

Vibhu Paudyal, a leading researcher and educator in inclusion health has been appointed Professor of Health Services Research & Inequalities within the...

A professional headshot of Professor Vibhu Paudyal against a white background

Celebrating NMPC staff and student success for International Women's Day 2024

To celebrate IWD 2024, in Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care we're celebrating the impact and successes of women in the Faculty.

NMPC IWD 2024 (3)

Professor Irene Higginson named #30 in top UK female scientist rankings

The leading academic research portal, Research.com has announced its list of Top Female Sciences in 2023.

Professor Irene Higginson

King's academics make the Best Female Scientists in the World 2023 Ranking

Five scientists from King’s have been ranked as some of the top female scientists in the world for this year by Research.com.

Professor Francesca Happe, Professor Janet Treasure, Professor Lucilla Poston, Professor Irene Higginson and Professor Cathryn Lewis

Cicely Saunders International welcomes new Life President and Chair

John McGrath has stepped down as Chair and Trustee to become a Life President of Cicely Saunders International, alongside former Trustee Christopher Saunders....

Kate Kirk and John McGrath

Events

19Nov

Better Health & Care Futures launch at the House of Lords

In support of the Better Health and Care Futures initiative, Baroness Mary Watkins hosted an event at the House of Lords to discuss the pivotal role of...

Please note: this event has passed.

24Mar

Perseverance Trust Nightingale Fellowship Lecture 2022

This annual online lecture features talks from our staff, students and Nightingale Fellowship Award winners.

Please note: this event has passed.

05Nov

Cicely Saunders International Annual Lecture 2020

Palliative care in an era of COVID-19: Perspectives from three continents

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

Navigating the NHS, present and future: how might an incoming government respond?

Ahead of the general election PROFESSOR IRENE HIGGINSON looks at how the NHS can move forward, from failings and criticisms and into a better future.

NHS sign

Spotlight

Transforming the management of breathlessness in advanced illness

The drug-free support helping people cope with breathlessness

Illustration of ideas for breathlessness research
  • MSc in Palliative Care: Applying Epidemiology in Palliative Care (7MMPAC08)
  • Research Methods & Statistics in Palliative Care (7MMPAC01)
  • PhD Supervision - open to taking PhD students in the areas of interest above;  active programme of supervising a small number of students as first supervisor.