Association of Palliative Care Centres

What Association of Palliative Care Centres does

The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) is a South African non-profit membership association, founded in 1987 as the Hospice Palliative Care Association (HPCA) and rebranded in September 2023 to reflect its broader scope. It accredits and supports a national network of 71 member hospices and palliative care centres across all 9 provinces, with over 90% of care delivered through home-based interdisciplinary teams including doctors, nurses, social workers, and home-based carers. APCC owns the only formal palliative care standards in Southern Africa outside hospital and clinic regulations, with the 5th Edition (2025) receiving international accreditation from ISQua and approval from COHSASA.

Its core technology infrastructure includes a cloud-based Patient Data Management System (PDMS) built on Microsoft SQL Server in collaboration with Airborne Consulting, which captures patient-level care delivery, group-level outcomes, and national reporting across diagnosis, age, gender, and medical scheme dimensions. The product portfolio also includes the Living Matters advanced care planning tool, an online Self-Assessment Tool (SAT), the APCA Palliative Outcomes Scale (POS), and a Thrift Shop Collective network. APCC operates a training portfolio of seven accredited courses spanning palliative nursing, home-based care, bereavement support, and psychosocial care, with CPD accreditation from UCT, SACSSP, HPCSA, and QCTO.

APCC's revenue model is diversified across individual and corporate donations (with tiered monthly subscriptions), training course fees (R2,500–R9,500 per participant), membership fees from 71 hospice organisations, and thrift shop retail revenue. Service delivery combines home-based care (over 90%), community centres, and in-patient units across the country, reaching more than 150,000 patients with life-limiting conditions annually through member organisations.

Name

Association of Palliative Care Centres

Legal name

The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC)

Website

https://apcc.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) is a South African non-profit association founded in 1987 that accredits and supports 71 member hospices and palliative care centres across all 9 provinces, delivering home-based and community palliative care, training, and ISQua-accredited quality standards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Palliative Care Quality Assurance

NAICS

Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Home Hospice Nursing Visits (RN/LPN) (HSABAFAL)

Keywords

• Palliative care services
• Accreditation programmes
• Hospice care standards
• Palliative care training
• Home-based care

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations via online portals (EFT, SnapScan, Card payments), monthly recurring donations, corporate partnerships, bequests in wills, and campaign-specific fundraising such as Lace Up for Cancer.
2. Training Course Fees: Revenue from accredited training courses including Introduction to Palliative Care for Professionals (R4,500), Certificate Course in Palliative Nursing, Psychosocial Palliative Care, and Occupational Certificate in Home-Based Care. Course fees vary by programme and format (face-to-face vs e-learning).
3. Thrift Shop Collective: Network of charity shops owned and run by member organisations selling pre-loved items. Proceeds support vital palliative care services at local member hospices.
4. Membership Fees: Service providers pay membership fees to join APCC and access accreditation, mentorship, training, and quality assurance programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

APCC is a South African not-for-profit association of 71 accredited hospices and palliative care centres. It sets and maintains the only ISQua-accredited Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services in Southern Africa, operates a national Patient Data Management System (PDMS), runs an accreditation and mentorship quality-assurance programme, and delivers accredited training courses to healthcare professionals and caregivers.

Product overview

The Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC) is a not-for-profit association of accredited palliative care service providers operating primarily in South Africa. The organization offers a unified portfolio centered on palliative care delivery, training, and quality assurance. Core offerings include the Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services (the only ISQua-accredited palliative care standards in Southern Africa), the cloud-based Patient Data Management System (PDMS) for member reporting, and the Living Matters Advanced Care Planning tool. The training portfolio includes seven accredited courses spanning palliative nursing, home-based care, bereavement support, and psychosocial care, all aligned to NQF levels and SAQA requirements. Quality assurance programs provide a star-rating accreditation system and mentorship pathways for member organizations. Over 90% of care provided by 71 member organizations is home-based, with services delivered through interdisciplinary teams.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services (5th Edition) Accredited standards developed by APCC in collaboration with COHSASA, providing the only formal palliative care standards in Southern Africa. The 5th edition (2025) has received ISQua accreditation and serves as the benchmark for quality palliative care delivery across member organizations.
• Patient Data Management System (PDMS) National cloud-based patient care data management system developed in collaboration with Airborne Consulting, enabling member service providers to capture and report on actual delivery of Palliative Care services at individual patient, group, and organizational levels. Built on Microsoft SQL Server platform.
• Accreditation Programme Star rating system (1-5 stars plus full COHSASA accreditation) that evaluates member organizations against Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services, providing quality assurance and continuous improvement pathways.
• Mentorship Programme Program where fully accredited 5-star members mentor developing members to comply with palliative care standards. Includes Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) and Member Development Plan (MDP) for capacity building.
• Introduction to Palliative Care for Professionals 40-hour short course equipping healthcare professionals to assess and manage patients with life-threatening illness. Accredited by UCT for 30 CEU points, accepted by Western Cape Department of Health.
• Certificate Course in Palliative Nursing 9-month online course for professional and enrolled nurses, accredited by UCT. Focuses on specialized palliative care nursing skills and knowledge.
• Bereavement Support Course Face-to-face and online course developed for use in palliative care settings and wider community. Approved for 29 CPD points by SACSSP. Covers supporting those experiencing grief and loss.
• Psychosocial Palliative Care Course Face-to-face (8 weeks) or e-learning (11 weeks) course for social science graduates, social workers, theologists, psychologists and other professionals. Approved for 22.5 CPD points by SACSSP.
• Introduction to Palliative Care Course for Caregivers 5-day face-to-face or 10-week online course for enrolled nursing assistants, caregivers and home-based carers. Registered as attendance short course at NQF level 3 with 24.5 CPD points.
• Occupational Certificate in Home-Based Care QCTO-accredited qualification for home-based personal care workers. Full qualification (NQF 3) requires 1350 notational hours over 1 year; Part qualification (NQF 2) requires 680 notational hours over 6 months.
• Living Matters Advanced Care Planning Tool Online tool enabling individuals to explore and document their care preferences, values, and wishes for future healthcare decisions. Features guided sections covering personal values, living well, wishes for care, and voice documentation.
• Find a Hospice or Palliative Care Centre Geographic search tool allowing users to locate member hospices and palliative care centres across South Africa's nine provinces through an interactive map interface.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of care delivered at home
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• COHSASA (Council for Health Services Accreditation of Southern Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOHSASA conducts external surveys for APCC member accreditation. APCC Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services are approved by COHSASA and ISQua. COHSASA trains and approves surveyors for APCC accreditation programme.
• ISQua (International Society for Quality in Health Care)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISQua provides international accreditation for the Standards for Palliative Healthcare Services. APCC's 5th edition Standards gained global recognition at ISQua's 41st International Conference in São Paulo, Brazil.
• QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQCTO accredits APCC member organisations as Skills Development Providers (SDP) to offer Home Based Care courses. Currently 11 APCC Service Providers are QCTO-accredited.
• University of Cape Town (UCT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCT provides accreditation for the Certificate Course in Palliative Nursing and Introduction to Palliative Care for Professionals (30 CEU). Course accepted as standardised by Western Cape Department of Health.
• SACSSP (South African Council for Social Service Professionals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSACSSP approves CPD points for multiple APCC training courses including Psychosocial Palliative Care (21-22.5 CPD points), Bereavement Support (29 CPD points), and Introduction to Palliative Care for Professionals (20 CPD points).
• HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHPCSA awards 30 CPD points (25 General and 5 Ethics) for the Introduction to Palliative Care for Professionals course.
• Love Your NutsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCancer charity partner in Lace Up for Cancer event. Raises awareness of testicular cancer through community education.
• CHOC (Children's Haematology Oncology Centres)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCancer charity partner in Lace Up for Cancer event. Supports children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders.
• People Living With CancerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCancer charity partner in Lace Up for Cancer event. Creates national support structure for people living with cancer, survivors, and families.
• Sunflower FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCancer charity partner in Lace Up for Cancer event. Dedicated to creating awareness and handling registration for the South African Bone Marrow Registry.
• CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCancer charity partner in Lace Up for Cancer event. Leads the fight against cancer in South Africa.
• Lonely Road FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborated with APCC (then HPCA) to launch the Butterfly Box pop-up shop pilot - a designer charity shop to educate public about palliative care.
• PALPRAC (Association of Palliative Care Practitioners of South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the South African Palliative Care Conference with APCC and PatchSA. Specialist Forum collaboration for ethics CPD webinars.
• PatchSA (Palliative Care for Children South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the South African Palliative Care Conference. Patch Academy provides online CPD-accredited training on paediatric palliative care. National charity advocating for children's palliative care rights.
• Healthcare Innovation Summit Africa (HISA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAPCC participates in the annual Healthcare Innovation Summit Africa focused on digital transformation in healthcare.
• DignitySAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosted Access to Palliative Care in the Western Cape Information Session 2026 to empower religious and community leaders with palliative care knowledge.
• Tutu FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with DignitySA and APCC for Access to Palliative Care in the Western Cape Information Session 2026.
• Airborne ConsultingcoreTechnology or IntegrationIT partner that developed the Patient Data Management System (PDMS) in 2011. Majority BEE-owned company specialising in IT and management consulting.
• Department of Health (South Africa)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Department of Health published National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care (2017). OHSC requires healthcare service providers to be accredited. APCC advocates for integration of palliative care in national health systems.
• Life HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner for Lace Up for Cancer 2023 and 2024 events. Major healthcare provider supporting cancer awareness initiatives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO): US national membership organization for hospice and palliative care providers, running standards, advocacy, and education. Comparable in mission and member-network model, but operates at much larger scale in a developed-market healthcare system.
• Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA): Global umbrella body of national hospice and palliative care associations, of which APCC is a member. WHPCA operates at the global advocacy and World Hospice & Palliative Care Day level, broader than APCC's national operator role.
• Hospice UK: UK national charity and membership body supporting hospice and palliative care providers, running standards, training, and policy advocacy. Comparable to APCC as a national hospice association with a training and standards portfolio.

Regional players

• Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA): Large South African NPO focused on cancer awareness, education, and patient support, with a broad national donor base and thrift-shop network. Comparable as a fundraising competitor and fellow cancer-care NPO in the same geography.
• Palliative Care Australia: Australian national peak body for palliative care, with member organizations, advocacy, and standards work. Comparable to APCC in mission and member-network structure, but operating in a different geography.
• CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa: South African NPO supporting children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders. Comparable as a co-marketing partner in APCC's Lace Up for Cancer event and as a peer NPO competing for healthcare donations in SA.

Direct peers

• Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU): National palliative care association coordinating member hospices and training across Uganda. Comparable to APCC as a peer African national association running accreditation, training, and member services.
• Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Zimbabwe (HOSPAZ): Zimbabwe's national palliative care membership body coordinating hospice providers and advocacy. Comparable to APCC in scope, Southern African geography, and non-profit member-based model.
• Kenya Hospice and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA): National umbrella body for hospice and palliative care providers in Kenya, operating an accreditation/standards programme and member network. Directly comparable to APCC as a national palliative care association in an African market with similar disease burden.
• South African Hospice Palliative Care Association of Nurses (SAHPNA) / PALPRAC: South African practitioner-level palliative care association co-hosting the biennial SA Palliative Care Conference with APCC and PatchSA. Direct peer and partner in the SA palliative care professional community.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC29VezmKxv4sWw_acjmLbng
• Facebookfacebook.com/APCC20
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-palliative-care-centres
• Instagraminstagram.com/apcc_sa

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Association of Palliative Care Centres