New end-of-life care legal rights
Relatives are to get a legal right to be consulted before food or water is withdrawn from terminally-ill patients under the so-called "pathway to death," under new Government proposals.
What does the Liverpool Care Pathway involve?
The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) is a best practice guide designed to help health professionals across the NHS give patients better care in their last few hours or days.
Its name comes from the Liverpool-based NHS Trust that developed the pathway in 1997.
The pathway can be used irrespective of the diagnosis and can be used in a hospital, home, hospice or care home - but only when all relevant medical staff agree that the patient is dying.
- Medication may be reviewed
- Relatives of the patient should be consulted about maintaining the patient's comfort
- Intake of food and fluids may be reviewed in the best interests of the patient
- Any spiritual or religious needs of the patient should be determined and catered for
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