Care of the Dying Patient: One Chance to get it Right

Andrea Hanson

Macmillan/STH FT

End of Life Care Pathway Facilitator

UK Events relating to care of the Dying Person

2012- Public concerns about how people were cared for when they were dying

2013- Report ‘More Care Less Pathway’ identified that significant improvements in care of the dying were needed

2014 Report ‘One Chance to get it Right’ identified what was needed to ensure dying patients & their family received good care

What does good care of the

dying person look like?

Leadership Alliance for Care of the Dying ‘One Chance to get it right’ June

2014

Guidance on what constitutes good end of life care

Emphasis on Patient centred care

Need an individualised plan of care involving patient and family

Five key priorities identified

When it is recognised that a person may die within next few

hours or days …….. Priority One;

The possibility is recognised & communicated clearly, decisions made & actions taken in accordance with the patient’s needs & wishes, & these are regularly reviewed & decisions revised accordingly

Priority 2

Sensitive Communication takes place between staff & the dying person, & those identified as being important to them

Priority 3

The dying person, & those identified as important to them, are involved in decisions about treatment & care to the extent that person wants

Priority 4

The needs of families & others identified as important to the dying person are actively explored, respected and met as far as possible

Priority 5

An individual plan of care, which includes food & drink, symptom control & psychological & spiritual support, is agreed, co-ordinated & delivered with compassion

Key Points

Patient centred care

Partnership working

Care of family & those close to the dying person

On-going communication

Good documentation

Good knowledge & skills in care of the dying person & their family

References

NHS England July (2013)

Guidance for doctors and nurses caring for people in the last days of life. www.ncpc.org.uk/.../guidance-doctors-and-nurses-caring-people-last-days-life

July 2013. More Care Less Pathway: an independent review of the Liverpool Care Pathway

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-liverpool-care-pathway-for-dying-patients

One Chance to get it right - Gov.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/.../One_chance_to_get_it_right