Paediatrics and the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP)

A local Action Research Programme has been running for a number of years in Liverpool within the paediatric service at Alder Hey Hospital and Community Service and Claire House Children’s Hospice and the LCP Central Team at the MCPCIL.

The LCP Paediatric project began with the formation of a Steering Group.  Membership of the Steering Group consisted of expert representation from

• LCP Central Team at MCPCIL
• Adult Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Team
• Paediatric Palliative Care Team / Oncologist
• Paediatric medical and nursing personnel

Based on the understanding gained from the analysis of the base review and current best practice, the adult LCP document was modified to reflect more closely those areas pertinent to the care of a child in the last hours / days of life.  The steering group discussed and determined the initial changes required to the generic LCP for use in paediatrics.  Several cycles of reflection and discussion and ongoing plot work will enable the development of a national model that could be disseminated more widely.

 

More information

• “Can the LCP be used for all patients irrespective of diagnosis in the last hours and days of life?” (pdf)