Publications:
NICE end of life care for adults quality standard
30 November 2011
NICE quality standards are a set of specific, succinct statements and measures that describe aspirational but achievable care for adult patients across the NHS in England.
This end of life care quality standard includes 16 statements for the care of adults with advanced, progressive, or incurable conditions who are approaching the end of their life and are expected to die within the next 12 months.
The end of life definition also includes adults with existing conditions who are at risk of dying from a sudden, acute crisis in their condition, or those with life-threatening acute conditions caused by sudden catastrophic events. The standard also covers support for the families and carers of such people.
The quality standard statements include:
- People approaching the end of life and their families and carers are communicated with, and offered information, in an accessible and sensitive way in response to their needs and preferences
- People approaching the end of life are offered spiritual and religious support appropriate to their needs and preferences
- People approaching the end of life have their physical and specific psychological needs safely, effectively and appropriately met at any time of day or night, including access to medicines and equipment
- People closely affected by a death are communicated with in a sensitive way and are offered immediate and ongoing bereavement, emotional and spiritual support appropriate to their needs and preferences.
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