Implementing a team approach to end-of-life care

Abstract

The provision of excellent end-of-life care (EoLC) is high on the political agenda for all patients, regardless of diagnosis, reflecting developments in health care which emphasise choice and equity whatever the background, financial status or diagnosis of the patient (DH 2003). This article describes how the EoLC tools, the Gold Standards Framework, Liverpool Care Pathway for the dying and Preferred Place of Care were rolled out across East Lancashire and how using a team approach enhanced the implementation of these initiatives for palliative patients regardless of diagnosis. The EoLC care project team in East Lancs has demonstrated that a central point of co-ordination is vital when implementing these three tools.