End of life care: good

Page last updated: 12 May 2022
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R3. How are people supported at the end of their life to have a comfortable, dignified and pain-free death?

Characteristics of services we would rate as good in this area

People are supported to make decisions about their preferences for end of life care.

Staff make every effort to make sure that people, their families, friends and other carers, are empowered and actively involved in developing their care, support and treatment plans, and appropriate professionals are involved if required. People are supported by staff who understand their diagnosis, are competent, and have the skills to assess their needs. This includes specific needs, such as those for people with dementia who are at the end of their life. They strike a balance when involving family, friends, other carers or advocates in decisions about the care provided, to make sure that the views of the person receiving the care are known, respected and acted on. Views are recorded and shared appropriately.

The service ensures that all staff are aware of people's wishes and makes sure the person has dignity, comfort and respect at the end of their life.

The service works with healthcare professionals, including palliative care specialists and others, to provide a dignified and pain-free death that is as comfortable as possible.
Staff are aware of national good practice guidance and professional guidelines for end of life care and provide care in line with this consistently.

Specialist equipment and medicines are consistently available at short notice.

The service makes sure that facilities and support are available for people's family, friends and other carers, and for staff, before and after a person dies.

People feel that their needs on the grounds of protected equality characteristics have been considered as part of the planning process and provisions have been made.

People's religious beliefs and preferences are respected.

Family, friends and other carers feel involved, listened to, informed and supported in the last days of a person's life.