Sheila Payne and colleagues examine the differences and similarities in end-of-life care provided in different countries which, while broadly based on the same models, varies according to resources, cultural attitudes and public health policies

This article introduces palliative care and palliative care nursing. It goes on to consider models of palliative care delivery and provide a more detailed account of the three elements of palliative care nursing–working directly with patients and families, working with other health and social care professionals to network and co-ordinate services, and working at an organisational level to plan, develop and manage service provision in local, regional and national settings. It concludes by detailing the challenges for palliative care nursing and outlines a possible way ahead.