Palliative and end of life care
Caring for people at the end of their lives is an important role for health and social care professionals. One of the elements to support people at the end of their lives is to find out what their preferences and wishes are in relation to their future care.
Advance Care Planning and the Community End of Life Care Pathway
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a voluntary process of discussion between an individual and their care providers irrespective of discipline. If the individual wishes, their family and friends may be included in the discussions. With the individual's agreement, this discussion should be recorded, regularly reviewed and communicated to key persons involved in their care.
An ACP discussion might include:
- the individual's concerns
- their important values or personal goals for care
- their understanding about their illness and prognosis
- preferences for types of care or treatment that may be beneficial in the future and the availability of these
In line with the End of Life Strategy 2008 and as part of the PCT's commitment to offer quality care at the end of life to all dying patients, a new cross county pathway for the community is being used for patients in their last days of life.
This multidiscipline document based on the national Liverpool Care Pathway is available and, being patient-held, builds on the introduction of advance care planning to respect and work with patient choice at the end of life. The document includes template for Advance Care Planning discussions.
Information for health care professionals on access to palliative care drugs out of hours:
