NICE consults on draft guidance to help the NHS care for us in our last few days of life

29 Jul 2015 02:50 PM

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a draft guideline to support the NHS in providing high quality and compassionate care for people who are dying.

About 500,000 people die each year in England. It’s thought that the majority of these deaths – approximately 3 in 4 – are expected, but recognising when death is imminent can be challenging. The NICE guideline, which is in development, will help doctors and nurses identify when someone is entering their final few days of life.

It also provides guidance about the management of some common symptoms that may be experienced at the end of life, and places the individual and their loved ones at the heart of decisions about their care.

The draft NICE guideline, which has been published for consultation, follows the abolition of the Liverpool Care Pathway, a protocol for looking after people at the end of their life. This was phased out last year after a government-commissioned review found serious failings in how the pathway was being implemented. The NICE guideline begins to provide some guidance around clinical care in the last days of life in its place.

Sir Andrew Dillon, NICE Chief Executive, said: “Recognising when we are close to death and helping us to remain comfortable is difficult for everyone involved.

“The Liverpool Care Pathway was originally devised to help doctors and nurses provide quality end-of-life care. While it helped many to pass away with dignity, it became clear over time that it wasn’t always used in the way it was intended. Some families, for example, felt that elderly relatives were placed onto the pathway without their knowledge or consent. Following a review, the pathway is no longer used.

“Earlier this year, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman said thatend of life care could be improved for up to 335,000 people every year in England. The guideline we are developing will ensure that people who are nearing the end of their lives are treated with respect and receive excellent care.”

The draft guideline, which NICE has published for consultation, makes a series of recommendations. These include:

The consultation for the draft NICE guideline will remain open until Wednesday 9 September 2015. Comments will then be reviewed before the final guideline is published for NHS use.

NICE is also currently developing best practice guidelines for the NHS on end of life care for infants, children and young people, and guidance on how to deliver services to improve supportive and palliative care for adults. These are expected to publish in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

For more information call the NICE press office on 0300 323 0142 or out of hours on 07775 583 813.

Notes to Editors

About the guidance

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