DC38-End of Life and Palliative Care Policy

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

End of Life and Palliative Care Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline {{org_field_name}}’s commitment to delivering compassionate, dignified, and person-centred end-of-life and palliative care. This policy ensures that all service users with life-limiting illnesses or nearing the end of life receive high-quality, holistic support that prioritises comfort, dignity, emotional well-being, and symptom management.

We align our approach with Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, and the End-of-Life Care Strategy (Department of Health, UK) to ensure compliance and excellence in service delivery.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All employees, including care workers, palliative care specialists, and management.
Service users receiving end-of-life or palliative care, ensuring their needs are met with dignity and respect.
Families and caregivers, supporting them throughout the process.
Multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs), including GPs, hospice teams, and district nurses.
Regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with statutory and ethical standards.

It covers:

Definition and principles of end-of-life and palliative care.
Identifying individuals requiring end-of-life care.
Developing personalised care plans.
Pain and symptom management.
Emotional, psychological, and spiritual support.
Communication with families and multi-disciplinary teams.
Training and staff responsibilities.
Continuous monitoring and quality improvement.

3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy aligns with the following legal and regulatory requirements:

Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 – Governing safety and care standards.
Care Act 2014 – Ensuring person-centred care and dignity in care services.
Mental Capacity Act 2005 – Supporting decision-making for individuals lacking capacity.
Equality Act 2010 – Preventing discrimination and promoting inclusive care.
NICE Guidelines for End-of-Life Care (NG31) – Providing evidence-based best practices.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 – Ensuring confidentiality and secure record-keeping.

4. Definition and Principles of End-of-Life and Palliative Care

End-of-life and palliative care aim to:

Provide holistic, person-centred support tailored to the service user’s needs.
Manage pain and distressing symptoms effectively.
Promote emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being.
Support families and caregivers in decision-making and bereavement.
Ensure continuity of care through effective collaboration with healthcare professionals.
Respect the individual’s wishes, values, and cultural preferences.

5. Identifying Individuals Requiring End-of-Life Care

{{org_field_name}} ensures early identification through:

Regular assessments and reviews in collaboration with GPs and specialists.
Monitoring disease progression and functional decline.
Recognising signs that indicate transition to end-of-life phase.
Holding advance care planning discussions with the service user and their family.

6. Developing Personalised End-of-Life Care Plans

A detailed, person-centred care plan is developed based on:

Service user preferences and advance decisions.
Pain and symptom management needs.
Preferred place of care (home, hospice, hospital, or care facility).
Psychological, emotional, and spiritual support requirements.
Support for family and caregivers, including respite care options.
Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) and advance directives, if applicable.

7. Pain and Symptom Management

To maintain comfort and quality of life, our care team ensures:

Regular pain assessments using validated pain scales.
Administration of appropriate analgesics and medications in consultation with medical professionals.
Use of non-pharmacological approaches (e.g., massage, relaxation techniques, repositioning).
Monitoring and managing symptoms such as breathlessness, nausea, and agitation.

8. Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Support

We acknowledge the emotional impact of end-of-life care on both service users and their loved ones. Our approach includes:

Counselling and emotional support through trained professionals.
Providing access to chaplaincy, spiritual advisors, or cultural representatives.
Ensuring service users and families have access to grief and bereavement support.

9. Communication with Families and Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Open, compassionate communication is critical in end-of-life care. {{org_field_name}} ensures:

Transparent discussions about prognosis, care plans, and available options.
Regular family meetings to provide updates and emotional support.
Effective collaboration with hospice teams, district nurses, and GPs.
Compliance with Mental Capacity Act 2005 when making decisions on behalf of individuals lacking capacity.

10. Training and Staff Responsibilities

To ensure high-quality palliative care, all employees receive:

Mandatory end-of-life care training, including symptom management and communication skills.
Regular refresher courses on best practices and regulatory updates.
Supervision and emotional support to help staff cope with challenges in end-of-life care.

11. Continuous Monitoring and Quality Improvement

{{org_field_name}} maintains high standards of care through:

Regular audits of end-of-life care plans and service user feedback.
Incident reporting and learning from complaints or concerns.
Reviewing and updating policies based on best practices and legal requirements.
Engagement with external palliative care specialists to enhance care delivery.

12. Policy Review and Updates

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if:

There are changes in legislation or CQC guidance.
Service user feedback suggests improvements to care delivery.
New research or best practices recommend updates.

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.