To improve the quality of care at the end of life for all patients and enable more patients to live and die in the place of their choice.

SUMMARY

• Support local implementation

• Co-ordinate the sharing of good practice

• Continue to evaluate and measure improvement

• Continue to develop and implement an integrated approach to end of life care

• Workshops/events

• End of Life Care website   (http://www.endoflifecare.nhs.uk)

The key objective of the End of Life Care programme (EoLC) is, 'to offer all adults nearing the end of life, regardless of their diagnosis, the choice and access to high quality end of life care'

'Building on the Best, Choice, Responsiveness and Equity in the NHS' (December 2003) identified that patients want a high quality service, which meets their needs, which is personal to individuals and is equitable.  The consultation process for this paper showed that patients and careres wanted choice over care at the end of life.  Through funding of £12 million over three years to the support the (EoLC) will enable the principles of end of life care for cancer patients to be spread into other disease groups by widening the pool of staff trained in palliative care.

All Strategic Health Authorities (SHA) have appointed a lead person to implement the EoLC Programme in their area.

The EoLC Programme is coordinated by a National Director who together with National Leads will support the Strategic Health Authorities in England to improve choice, equity and responsiveness for all adult patient nearing the end of life.

For further information please visit their website:  http://www.endoflifecare.nhs.uk