Commenting on publication of the Independent Review of the Liverpool Care Pathway, Dr Linda Patterson, clinical vice president of the Royal College of Physicians, said:
It is estimated that every year 355,000 new people require end of life care.[1] Palliative medicine is a huge area and the RCP is clear that patients deserve high-quality, appropriate and compassionate end-of-life care.
Care of the dying needs to be fully embedded into doctor training and education for doctors and healthcare professionals, and we must ensure senior clinical involvement in end of life decisions across seven days a week. Full and clear communication is fundamental to end of life care. Clinicians must have adequate time to discuss available options with the families and carers of their patients.
Medical leadership is key to improving end of life care, especially in acute hospitals. The RCP is keen to work with other organisations to act on the recommendations of this review.
[1]Hughes-Hallet T, Craft A, Davies C, Mackay I, Nielsson T. Palliative Care Funding Review: Funding the Right Care and Support for Everyone. 2011.
For further information, please contact Hannah Bristow, Clinical Standards communications officer, on +44 (0)20 3075 1447 / 07584 303 784 or email Hannah.Bristow@rcplondon.ac.uk
National Care of the Dying Audit of Hospitals
The RCP is leading on the National Care of the Dying Audit of Hospitals in collaboration with the Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool, and supported by Public Health England and Marie Curie Cancer Care. The audit is due to start collecting data in autumn 2013 and will include a survey of bereaved families.