One chance to get it right

The approach to replace the Liverpool Care Pathway was set out in the LACDP report, One Chance To Get It Right. The alliance accepted recommendations for a named GP to take overall responsibility for the care of patients nearing the end of their lives in the community.

Dr Maureen Baker, chairwoman of the RCGP, one of the LACDP bodies, said: 'Today’s announcement should provide much-needed clarity for doctors and, most importantly, much-needed reassurance for patients and their families and carers.

'By setting out clear principles of what is expected, it should increase the confidence of doctors, nurses and other health professionals in confronting sensitive issues around end-of-life care, as well as reducing the potential for confusion or misinterpretation.'

OK. What do they mean by `setting out clear principles of what is expected?`

For instance, why don`t they say who is supposed to be expecting what, and why? Using language in this vague way gives the strong impression that they are reluctant to come out clearly with what they mean.

Then we might wonder who has the potential for confusion or misinterpretation?  Is it the health professionals who lack confidence in confronting sensitive issues around end-of-life care, or the patients? It`s vital to know. Why don`t they say?

What are the sensitive issues around end-of-life care? Are they talking about the withholding of food and liquids? Get that wrong and you kill people. Isn`t that what all the scandals have been about and calling that a care plan an outrageous distortion of the truth?

Are we really expected to be reassured by another round of the same old gobbledygook that attempts to disguise the euthanising of our old folk?

I don`t think so.

http://www.gponline.com/liverpool-care-pathway-successor-clarifies-gp-role-says-rcgp/palliative-end-of-life-care/article/1300789