End of life care

Although the subject of dying is often difficult to contemplate, it is essential that you and your relatives discuss your wishes as you near the end of your life. Good planning for all your needs should mean that you can (if you choose), remain in your home or care home at the end of your life and not have to be admitted to hospital.

You may wish to complete an Advance Care Plan (ACP) to record what is most important to you, and how you would like to be supported. An ACP, such as ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) or a Preferred Priorities for Care form, can be created through conversations with your GP or health professional and can involve your family and carers. The process is designed to help you prepare for the future and gives you an opportunity to think about, talk about, and write down your preferences and priorities for care in an emergency or at the end of life.

When choosing a service, you should consider its end of life care philosophy and policies. Enabling people to die in comfort, and with dignity, is a core part of providing care. The way care professionals approach the process will be incredibly important for you, your family, and carers.

An end of life care plan should also be drawn up, as it is vital to establish your preferences and choices.

It is also important to know that all health and social care staff must be trained in communication regarding end of life care and will be trained in assessing the needs of individuals and carers.

It is worth asking care providers whether they are working towards The Gold Standards Framework. This can be used in various settings, for example hospitals, primary care and care homes, to improve the coordination and communication between different organisations involved in providing care for someone near the end of their life.

Dying Matters

Set up by the National Council for Palliative Care, the coalition aims to promote awareness of dying, death and bereavement. The website has a comprehensive support section. Web: dyingmatters.org

East Sussex County Council

Web: eastsussex.gov.uk/socialcare/healthadvice/ endoflife or contact Health and Social Care Connect. See page 7 for contact details.

Macmillan – At the end of life

Helping you find practical and emotional support at the end of life and through bereavement. Web: macmillan.org.uk/information-and-

support/coping/at-the-end-of-life

Marie Curie Cancer Care

Provides free nursing care to cancer patients and those with other terminal illnesses in their own homes. Web: mariecurie.org.uk

Palliative Care Team (Brighton and Hove)

A specialist team of nurses, doctors, occupational therapists and social workers, who aim to promote high quality holistic care for people living with and dying from life limiting illnesses. Tel: 01273 964164 Email: sc-tr.palliativecare@nhs.net

Palliative Care Team (East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, ESHT)

The Supportive and Palliative Care Team comprises palliative care consultants and clinical nurse specialists, all with experience in working with patients with life limiting illnesses. Services provided at the Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne District General Hospital and Bexhill Hospital. Tel: 0300 131 4500 (ask for palliative care team). Email: esht.palliativecare@nhs.net

The NHS website – End of life care

A guide for people who are approaching the end of their life. Some parts of it may also be useful for people who are caring for someone who is dying, or people who want to plan in advance for their end of life care. Web: nhs.uk/conditions/end-of-life-care

WidowNet

Established in 1995, the first online information and self-help resource for, and by, widows and widowers. • Web: widownet.org