What went wrong? In some hospitals patients on the LCP have had wonderful care in their last weeks and days, but in others some of the staff have misunderstood the guidance. Training has been inadequate. There have also been some shocking stories about lack of compassion on the part of nursing staff. Busy hospitals have focused on treating patients who should recover at the expense of helping those who will not experience a good death. Why were patients denied food and drink and put on strong painkilling drugs that made them unable to communicate with their families?
Some hospital staff wrongly thought patients might inhale fluids and choke. Others wrongly thought it was standard practice to withhold fluids and nutrition on the pathway. Some patients were put on syringe drivers to deliver constant pain relief even though they did not need it.
Note to update advanced medical directive.