An expert panel will ask nurses to raise any concerns they have about end of life care following high-profile criticisms of the Liverpool Care Pathway. The RCN and other organisations will begin gathering evidence on the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) from healthcare professionals in the coming weeks. Their findings will be published by March next year. The survey will ask clinicians about their concerns and whether they are supported by adequate training. RCN long-term conditions adviser Amanda Cheesley said adverse media coverage has led to worries among nurses about broaching the issue of care plans with the relatives of dying patients because they fear their reactions. Healthcare professionals have been accused by some relatives of putting patients on to the LCP without informing them. Last week, care services minister Norman Lamb announced he will appoint an independent chair to oversee three inquiries into the complaints made about end of life care, the experiences of patients and the experiences of professionals. ‘It is important that everyone is confident in the findings of this work and that we learn lessons where they are needed so we can ensure that end of life care is as good as it can be,’ he said. ‘This review will consider the value of locally set incentives, and whether they are leading to bad decisions or practice,’ he added. The chair will report back to the minister in the new year. Mr Lamb made the announcement following a discussion last week attended by Ms Cheesley, MPs, doctors and the families of patients who were put on care pathways. Ms Cheesley told Nursing Standard: ‘The meeting was a good opportunity for people to air their views on the LCP. No one would dispute that some people have had a bad experience, but 80,000 people a year are supported by it.’