This article reports on a descriptive study of staff support in 116 hospices in the UK. The study took the form of a postal questionnaire survey. Before the survey an extensive review of the literature was carried out which highlighted the causes and effects of stress, both generally and in palliative care, along with coping strategies. The literature emphasised the intense nature of palliative care and the importance of having effective support mechanisms in place for staff (McKee, 1995). The results of this survey showed that, in general, hospices are attempting to deal with staff stress by offering group and/or individual support.