END OF LIFE PROGRESSIONS

Now the Government has decided to remove the recommendations of the LIVERPOOL PATHWAY. So what are they going to introduce in 2015, why then is it possible that we are looking at the next election, sorry to be so cynical.

Why then? why not now, is it because this way of treating will be purged and brought back as a new name.??

We need too look into a careful, understanding, comfortable way of entering the other side of life that will give closure for the living and the dead For the patients last days on this world how can we give succour for those who are dying and provide a safety net where whatever system is brought in. A good death is provided, for that will assist relatives a feeling that all has been done that can be done and the patient has met their timely end.

This is all we can ask, especially when death approaches those in terminal pain.

All the best

BOB

[missrat]

Hospices have specialised in pain and symptom relief for those with terminal conditions for years - as have some specialist hospitals. The patient, the medical staff AND THE FAMILY are involved in discussion. It may be that they decide 'no intravenous fluids' - but if the patient is thirsty they can have sips of liquid. The medication is adjusted to relieve pain,anxiety and nausea, but allowing the patient to feel 'in control' where possible. It may be that the combination of the condition and medication may hasten death, but this is NOT the aim. The group above may decide that, should the patient develop pneumonia ( once called "the old person's friend") or similar, they would prefer to allow nature to take its course. This was, I believe, the situation in which the "Liverpool Care Pathway" was 'born' but, sadly, it came to be misused. Six years ago my mother knew pain relief for the first time, without the distressing intravenous drips etc. and, for the last two days without antibiotics to prolong her dying. She was in a private hospital with particular experience in palliative care, and I can only describe the last few days of our life as "a beautiful death." There was also beautiful after-death care and two people came to pray with me in the middle of the night. I pray that, should I be in this condition, I would be allowed to decide what treatments I would like and what I wouldn't. There is so much 'treatment' available which I feel contravenes the saying "Thou shalt;st not strive officiously to keep alive.", Quality of life' is important, but not for people to impose euthanasia, but to devise sensible symptom-relief plans designed specifically for each patient.,

[Hidden in reply to missrat]

Hello

BOB here

One of the reasons that I am interested in this is that I am now representing HEALTHWATCH in a think tank regarding palliative care, this seems to have past down to me and it has a relevance to my interest in Dementia and Mental health.

This is a tetchy subject brought about with the ending of the Liverpool protocol for 2015, so we are trying to see our way through this very sensitive subject, in fact it is so sensitive, they are having problems filling the seats of this discussion group.

One of the problems regarding the final hours are a good, serene death and what generally would be the best way to give closure to not only the patient, also the family, that has to get through this very intense period of life and death. This is a very sensitive subject that we now need to sort out and not make errors that were made within the Liverpool Pathway, At the moment I am trying to pick up on what our members of this forum think of this trying time that we all have to go through sometimes in our lives as patient and carer

Thank you for your reply on this problem, the Hospice system should be made more available for all as it gives a comfortable closure that both sides can benefit from. The Government fails to understand this and have been relying on charity to pick up the tab, This in my opinion is wrong we all need this gold standard of care

All the best

BOB