This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8235106.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Crisis' over terminally-ill care | 'Crisis' over terminally-ill care |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Official guidelines are causing a crisis in care of the terminally ill and growing anger among patients' families, medical experts say. | Official guidelines are causing a crisis in care of the terminally ill and growing anger among patients' families, medical experts say. |
| The advice allows food and fluids to be withdrawn from patients, who are then continuously sedated, if they are judged to be close to death. | The advice allows food and fluids to be withdrawn from patients, who are then continuously sedated, if they are judged to be close to death. |
| In a letter to the Daily Telegraph the six doctors and campaigners criticise a "tick-box approach" to care. | In a letter to the Daily Telegraph the six doctors and campaigners criticise a "tick-box approach" to care. |
| The government says the guidance helps deliver high quality care for people. | The government says the guidance helps deliver high quality care for people. |
| Among the signatories on the letter are PH Millard, Emeritus Professor of Geriatrics at the University of London and Dr Anthony Cole, chairman of the Medical Ethics Committee. | Among the signatories on the letter are PH Millard, Emeritus Professor of Geriatrics at the University of London and Dr Anthony Cole, chairman of the Medical Ethics Committee. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| Dr Peter Hargreaves, a consultant in palliative medicine, Dr David Hill, fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons, Dr Elizabeth Negus, a lecturer at Barking University, and Dowager Lady Salisbury, chairman of Choose Life, were the other signatories. | Dr Peter Hargreaves, a consultant in palliative medicine, Dr David Hill, fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons, Dr Elizabeth Negus, a lecturer at Barking University, and Dowager Lady Salisbury, chairman of Choose Life, were the other signatories. |
| Their letter says the new treatment pattern of palliative care, based on experience at a Liverpool hospice is being rolled out into hospitals and nursing homes. | Their letter says the new treatment pattern of palliative care, based on experience at a Liverpool hospice is being rolled out into hospitals and nursing homes. |
| "If you tick all the right boxes in the Liverpool Care Pathway, the inevitable outcome of the consequent treatment is death," they write. | "If you tick all the right boxes in the Liverpool Care Pathway, the inevitable outcome of the consequent treatment is death," they write. |
| "As a result, a nationwide wave of discontent is building up, as family and friends witness the denial of fluids and food to patients." | "As a result, a nationwide wave of discontent is building up, as family and friends witness the denial of fluids and food to patients." |
| A Department of Health spokesman said they are investing £286 million over the two years to help improve end of life care. | |
| He added: "The Liverpool Care Pathway is an established and recommended tool that provides clinicians with an evidence-based framework to help delivery of high quality care for people at the end of their lives. | |
| "It has been recommended in the Supportive and Palliative Care Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence." |