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