End-of-Life Care

Discussing the long-term effects of serious illness or end-of-life care is never easy. NHS West Kent is working with a wide range of partners and healthcare professionals to make products, advice and support available to ensure these vital discussions feel less daunting and on-going care is more easily accessible.

Giving patients the means to discuss their preferred care plan empowers them, giving them the opportunity to take control of their own care requirements. It allows them to let friends, family and healthcare professionals know how and where they would like to be cared for as their needs change. Documenting patients’ preferences also increases the likelihood of their wishes being respected and gives them peace of mind even in the event that they may become unable to make decisions.

The NHS West Kent end-of-life package of care includes:
- Advance Care Plan|
- Message in a Bottle|
- 24 Hour Crisis Response Support
|- Out-of-hours Palliative Drugs Availability
|- DNA CPR forms
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The Big Discussion

In October 2010 NHS West Kent held a very successful event which saw 140 clinicians, voluntary sector representatives, care home staff, managers, patients, carers and GPs gather to discuss how to make care for people at the end of their lives as good as possible. Many of the initiatives above have been introduced or moved on as a result of those discussions.

A year on, a follow up event is being organised to update and inform on the work that NHS West Kent is doing – it will be held on 6 October 2011 at The Hop Farm – invites will be sent out shortly but, if you would like to find out more about it or get involved, please contact Ferne Haxby, Head of Customer Services and Engagement, on 01732 375 200 or ferne.haxby@wkpct.nhs.uk|