We are very proud that prof. Lieve Van den Block is invited for the annual lecture at the Cicely Saunders Institute of King's College London on 21 October 2025 16:00-17:00.
Her presentation is about The future of palliative care in an ageing society: evidence and practice: An exploration of the future role of palliative care in the context of global ageing, drawing on new evidence and practice across specialist, generalist and public health perspectives.
This lecture will be broadcast live online from the Cicely Saunders Institute.
Professor Lieve Van den Block is Full Professor of Ageing and Palliative Care at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and Director of the End-of-Life Care Research Group at VUB and Ghent University. She leads the Ageing and Palliative Care Research Programme and is internationally recognised for her research on improving care for people with advanced illness, particularly older adults and those in long-term care settings. With over two decades of experience, Professor Van den Block’s work has significantly influenced palliative care policy and practice in Belgium and beyond. Her research is interdisciplinary and international, combining clinical insight with public health approaches to end-of-life care.
About the lecture
As populations around the world age, the prevalence of chronic and serious illness is rising. In this lecture, Professor Van den Block will examine how palliative care systems must evolve to meet these growing needs. She will discuss current evidence, identify gaps in knowledge and service delivery, and suggest future directions for research, education and practice. The lecture will highlight the importance of integrated, collaborative care models in improving the lives of older people and their families.
The Cicely Saunders International Annual Lecture, hosted by the Cicely Saunders Institute at King’s College London, brings together global leaders whose work has profoundly influenced palliative and end-of-life care. These lectures are aimed at clinicians, healthcare researchers, policymakers, and funders - and offer a rare opportunity to engage with cutting-edge developments in the field.
Registrate here
