Chapter 28: End of life care
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Procedure
Following the removal of the Liverpool Care of the Dying Patient Pathway in 2014, five priorities for care (Box 28.1) were recommended to encourage patient‐centred personalized individual plans of care for patients and those closest to them (Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying People [31]).
Box 28.1
Priorities of care
| Priority 1 | The possibility that a person may die within the next few days/hours is recognized and communicated clearly, decisions are made and actions are taken in accordance with the person's needs and wishes, are reviewed regularly and decisions recorded |
| Priority 2 | Sensitive communication takes place between staff and the dying person and those identified as important to them |
| Priority 3 | The dying person and those identified as important to them are involved in decisions about treatment and care to the extent the dying person wants |
| Priority 4 | The needs of families and 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 and drink, symptom control and psychological, social and spiritual support is agreed, co‐ordinated and delivered with compassion |
