Case study:

16 August 2007

Palliative Care Referral Guidelines for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients (and other life-limiting lung disease) in Lambeth and Southwark PCTs

Key points

A group of clinicians in Lambeth and Southwark PCTs, together with a representative of the South East London Cancer Network Palliative Care Coordinating Group, are planning to introduce specialist palliative care referral guidelines for patients with life-limiting lung disease.

It is anticipated the guidelines will be used by clinicians in both acute hospital and primary care settings when considering the specialist palliative care needs of patients with COPD and other severe irreversible lung disease.

The aim is to improve the equity and appropriateness of referrals to specialist palliative care services.

Once respiratory physicians and CNSs have provided feedback, the guidelines will be evaluated by the SE London Palliative Care Coordinating Group.

If ratified, it is hoped to launch them across the six PCTs in SE London, with Lambeth and Southwark probably serving as pilot sites.

The working group aims to audit referrals to specialist palliative care teams one to two years after the launch of the guidelines.