29 July 2015
RCGP Response to NICE Draft Guidance on End of Life Care
Dr Catherine Millington-Sanders, Clinical Lead for End of Life at the Royal College of GPs, said: “It is crucial that patients approaching the end of their lives receive high quality and compassionate care that is tailored to their own needs and wishes. This guidance highlights how important it is for people to be involved in having discussions about their care.
“The clear difference between this and the Liverpool Care Pathway is that this is not a ‘pathway’ or process to be followed. This provides guidance on what good practice looks like and gives practical advice on issues that need to be considered when caring for a person in their last days of life.
“It suggests ways in which health and social care professionals can work together in a coordinated and timely way and make relevant decisions, such as the appropriate use of medications and equipment. This should support patient choice at this important time, and enable patients, wherever possible, to be cared for and to die in their preferred place, as well as supporting their families and their carers through the experience.”
Further Information
RCGP Press office: 020 3188 7574/7575/7581
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes to editor
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 50,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.