Posted on 07/13/2013 5:04:37 AM PDT by the scotsman
'The Liverpool Care Pathway, developed to support patients as they near death, should be phased out in England, an independent review is expected to say.
The system can involve withdrawal of medication, food and fluids.
It can offer a peaceful and dignified death but there have been problems with its implementation, the government-commissioned review is set to say.
Health officials said the review was expected to recommend the LCP should be phased out within six to 12 months.
The system was developed at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and the city's Marie Curie hospice in the 1990s to provide a model of best practice in the care of dying patients.
It can mean an end to invasive tests, treatment or feeding through tubes that is deemed to cause unnecessary suffering at the end of life - but it should be discussed with the patient, family or carer where possible.'
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
My dad died in a Catholic hospice, and the six-week process was handled with compassion, grace and love. It was a comfort not only for him, but for my mom and I.
My family donates a fair amount to the church, and for once I felt like my money was being used for a good purpose.
This model should be used everywhere, by all denominations. And those who don’t belong to a denomination can go to the government hospice, where there’s no hint of religion. It will be like the DMV. Any problem here?
Withdrawal of fluids is.....dignified and comfortable? Dehydration is a painful way to die
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