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

It is a multi-professional document which provides an evidence-based framework for end-of-life care.

The LCP provides guidance on the different aspects of care required, including comfort measures, anticipatory prescribing of medicines and discontinuation of inappropriate interventions.  

Additionally, psychological and spiritual care and family support is included.

The LCP replaces all other documentation in this phase of care and is applicable in hospital, hospice, nursing home and community settings.  The LCP is a key recommendation in the NICE guidelines for supportive and palliative care.  It is used within our In-patient unit.

Visit the Liverpool Care Pathway website at www.mcpcil.org.uk