Compassion has become a topic of interest amongst researchers and policy makers. Research has started to explore compassion from the perspectives of staff and patients. Research on compassion with carers is an under researched area. The present thesis aims to address this gap in the literature. Chapter One: This paper presents a systematic review of compassionate care from the perspective of patient and professionals. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria and were critically reviewed and evaluated. Within the literature reviewed compassionate care is described as a skilled interpersonal and relational process. The review found that compassionate care needs to be more clearly defined in practice, education and training. Clinical implication of the findings and directions for future research are discussed. Chapter Two: The second paper is a qualitative exploration of carers’ lived experiences of compassion while caring for adults with severe and enduring mental health difficulties. Eight carers were recruited to the study and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings revealed two superordinate themes: ‘Burdensome responsibility’ and ‘Something that holds you’. Findings are discussed in the context of clinical implication and areas for future research are considered. Chapter Three: The final paper provides a reflective account on the research process including insights into carers’ experiences of care and compassion. It offers reflections around six attributes of compassion: care for wellbeing, sensitivity, sympathy, empathy, distress tolerance and non-judgemental. This paper allows a chance to reflect on some of the outlying experiences that arose from the research that were not prevalent enough to become central themes.