Vincents welcomes new proposals to End of Life pathway
NICE, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, has put forward new draft proposals to improve the care of adult patients in the last few days of their life. The new guidelines aim to put “respect” at the heart of a dying persons care.
Charities and The Department of Health, welcome new and important changes to the guidelines on the “end of life pathway”, which are being announced today.
So what was in place previously?
Since the 1990’s medical professionals and providers have relied on the Liverpool care pathway. The pathway, which was phased out last year, involved a regimen that recommended the withdrawal of food, water and treatment from certain sedated patents, in their final hours, often causing distress to the patient and their family members.
Much of the criticism centred on a “tick box” approach to care and a rigid checklist culture.
Professor Rob George, President of the Association of Palliative Medicine, commented: “The problem in a sense, with an industrialised approached to managing dying people is that everyone gets preoccupied with ticking the boxes in front of them and not looking at the person in front of them.”
The Chief Executive of NICE, Sir Andrew Dillon, commented: “Recognising when we are close to death and helping us to remain comfortable is difficult for everyone involved. The Liverpool care pathway was originally designed 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.”
New proposals?
The new proposals aim to assist a health team not only identify when a person is at end of life, but more significantly, allow judgements to be made by a team of doctors rather than in the hands of just one.
Carlos Lopez, Head of Clinical negligence at Vincents Solicitors stated: “In July 2013, an independent review by Baroness Neuberger, identified failings within the implementation of the Liverpool care pathway and recommended that it be replaced with individual care plans. Earlier this year the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsmen identified that up to 335,000 people each year could benefit from improved changes to the pathway. I welcome the new proposals, which not only have “respect” at the heart of them, but will involve closer discussion with family members."
The proposals also aim to recognise when someone has a chance of recovery. Where death is imminent, the suggested proposals allow a patient to be hydrated, should they so wish.
It is anticipated that the proposals will assist doctors and nurses to identify when someone is entering into their last few days and put the patient and family at the heart of care decisions.
Carlos Lopez, commented, “I’ve have sadly watched a close family member die. I recall very distinctly being given details of the pathway at a very difficult and upsetting time, and whilst the medical professional acted with the utmost sensitivity, there were things within the pathway that concerned me. The new changes will prevent some of the terrible examples which have occurred, mainly centring on the poor implementation of the pathway by junior health practitioners."
The new proposals are open for public review until September 2015.
Contact Carlos Lopez : carloslopez@vslaw.co.uk
Telephone Number : 01772 280340