The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is consulting on new guidelines to ensure proper care of adults in the last stages of life.
An independent review in 2013 highlighted problems with the treatment of dying adults under the 'Liverpool Care Pathway' (LCP). The new guidance states that patients should be helped to drink if they wish to do so. This follows claims that patients were being left to die thirsty under some implementations of the LCP.
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Related Coverage:
Dying care: 'Improved' guidelines proposed (BBC)
Care of the dying adult - Draft Consultation (NICE)