Why has the care pathway been controversial?

According to newspaper reports, several families have complained about use of the care pathway.

Some relatives have claimed that their loved ones were put on the pathway without their consent and some have said it has hastened death in relatives who were not dying imminently.

Critics say that it is impossible for doctors to predict when death is imminent, so the decision to put a patient on the pathway is at worst self-fulfilling.

The media has also reported that use of the pathway is being encouraged for financial reasons, linked to targets.

The Daily Telegraph reports that almost two-thirds of NHS trusts using the LCP have received “payouts” totalling millions of pounds for hitting targets related to its use.

While these financial incentives do exist, they are designed to support the implementation of better care, say the NHS.