Care of the Dying

John Ellershaw is professor of palliative medicine at the University of Liverpool and director of Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute. He is also national deputy clinical director for end of life care.

• Introduction ; 1. What about Care Pathways? ; 2. What is the Liverpool Care Pathway for the dying patient (LCP)? ; 3. Symptom control in care of the dying: how can the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) influence symptom control?, How do you manage nausea and vomiting in the dying patient? and Comfort measures in the last hours or days of life ; 4. Ethical issues in care of the dying ; 5. Communication in care of the dying ; 6. Spiritual/religious issues in care of the dying ; 7. Supporting family and friends as death approaches and afterwards ; 8. Supporting children as death approaches and afterwards ; 9. Induction and implementation of the Liverpool Care Pathway for the dying patient (LCP) ; 10. Dissemination and sustainability strategy for the LCP programme - incorporating a model for national audit for care of the dying ; 11. International development of the LCP ; Appendix 1 - The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP) Core Documentation ; Appendix 2 - Ongoing assessment of the plan of care ; Appendix 3 - Completed pathway ; Appendix 4 - Coping with dying leaflet

Review from previous edition This is a book that should be widely read. As its title suggests, it provides the tools to make the sort of changes that make a difference. It would be of value to most hospital doctors, general practitioners in the UK and contains much interest for Europe and North America GPs and is packed with useful information . . . I would highly recommend this book to all those professionals involved in looking after dying patients.