Latest news from SPPC
PRESS RELEASE
Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care responds to the report of the independent review of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP), 'More Care, Less Pathway'.
The SPPC welcomes this report on the use of the LCP in England. The independent review process has provided an important opportunity for the voices of patients and families to be heard, and also an opportunity to learn from the experiences of staff who are involved in providing care for people who are dying.
The LCP was developed in the 1990s as a response to poor care of people who were dying in hospital. It is important that none of the improvements which have been achieved in recent years are lost, whilst remaining open to learning from the experiences of patients, families and those who care for them.
Mark Hazelwood, Director of the SPPC said:-
“There is a lot of very good care provided for people who are dying in Scotland, but it is vital to ensure that everyone receives such care. We therefore welcome the commitment of the Scottish Government to consider the recommendations of the report and to take forward any relevant learning for Scotland. The SPPC will lend any support it can to that process.”
He continued:-
“The LCP is designed to make sure that when someone is dying:-
- They are kept as comfortable as possible
- They and their family are kept informed and involved
- Any necessary medicines are quickly and easily available
- They don’t undergo medical procedures which maybe distressing and which aren’t going to provide any benefit.
- Their condition and individual needs are assessed/reviewed regularly.
These principles of good quality care at the end of life need to be retained. The LCP is designed to help staff deliver these things. Where these elements of good care haven’t been achieved then it is vital to understand why and then address the issues.”
ENDS
Reflections of a hospice chaplain
Rev Stuart Coates shares some reflections on his 27 years as a Hospice Chaplain in Scotland on our blog.
Living and Dying Well update
The latest update on the implementation of the Scottish Government’s action plan on palliative and end of life care Living and Dying Well is available here.
Programme Published for 2013 Annual Conference
The programme for the SPPC’s annual conference is now available. To see the great line up of topics and speakers and to book online click HERE
Small Grants Programme Announced
The Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care has set up a small grants programme to support activities, events or projects aimed at helping Scotland to become a place where people are more open about death, dying and bereavement. The grants programme aims to support the work of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief.
Specifically, we are looking to fund projects that:
- Help people to find ways of dealing with their own experiences of death, dying and bereavement.
- Help individuals and communities to support those who are experiencing difficult times associated with death, dying and bereavement.
- Support NHS and social care staff and volunteers to work compassionately and constructively with those who are dying or have been recently bereaved.
- Help people to make practical preparations for their death, for example Will, Power of Attorney and Advance Care Planning.
- Promote openness/discussion of death, dying and bereavement.
Apllications are sought from Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief member organisations, and the maximum grant available is £500. Membership is open to all organisations and individuals who wish to support the aims and objectives of GLGDGG.
The closing date for applications is Monday 8 April to allow applications to be processed and relevant money distributed in time for GLGDGG Awareness Week, 13-19 May 2013. (Applications are also accepted for activities scheduled outside Awareness Week.) We appreciate the timescale is tight and with this in mind the application form is designed to be straightforward to complete.
More information and an application form is available here: weblink.
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