Liverpool Care Pathway

The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) for the dying patient has been developed to transfer the hospice model of care into other care settings.

The Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool (MCPCIL) is supported by Marie Curie Cancer Care and has pioneered the implementation of the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP). This programme is recognised nationally and internationally as leading practice in care of the dying to enable patients to die a dignified death and provide support to their relatives / carers.

The LCP provides a useful template to guide the delivery of care for the dying to complement the skill and expertise of the practitioner using it. Once commenced the goals of care prompt staff to consider the continued need for invasive procedures and whether current medications really are conferring benefit. The health care professional is free to use his or her own clinical judgment in this process.

The use of the LCP does not preclude use of antibiotics or artificial nutrition or hydration but it does ask the professional to consider an appropriate decision for that moment in time and document the reason for decisions made.

Using the LCP in any environment requires regular assessment and involves continuous reflection, challenge, critical decision-making and clinical skill underpinned by learning and teaching programme.

[Unknown] Download the National Care of the Dying Audit – Hospitals

[Unknown] Download a press release on the LCP from Mare Curie Cancer Care

[Unknown] Download a press release on the LCP from the Royal College of Physicians

Find out more on the Liverpool Care Pathway website

End of Life: The Facts

Our End of Life: The Facts pages aim to provide information for people who would like to be looked after at home during the final stages of their life. It is divided into seven chapters and can be read by both the patient and their carers.