End-of-life care

End-of-life care has historically been poorly organised, with large gaps in provision, depending on geography and diagnosis. Some of these gaps are a result of confusion regarding roles and responsibilities, including those of the GP and general practice. Patients and carers have suffered as a result.

What did we explore?

To inform its work, the Inquiry panel commissioned a research project to examine the role of general practice in end-of-life care. End-of-life care (421 kb) [pdf] considers what high-quality care in general practice might look like, how this might be measured, and what challenges remain for its delivery in general practice. The paper’s author is Dr Rachael Addicott, Senior Research Fellow, The King’s Fund.

Read the research report (421 kb) [pdf] and leave your comments below.

What have we learnt about end-of-life care?

Key issues raised for debate include:

  • The importance of maintaining a dynamic database of patients with end-of-life needs, capturing their care preferences.
  • The GP’s role in co-ordinating care and communication across the wide range of health and social care professionals involved at end-of-life.
  • The need for continuity of GP care provision, especially when patient conditions change, and during out-of-hours periods.
  • The involvement of general practice in bereavement care and in minimising the health care risks of carers.

What's your view?

We’d like to get your views on how important you think general practice is to good-quality end-of-life care. What do you feel about the key issues that have been raised as a result of the work we have commissioned? Should this aspect of general practice be a priority? And do you think there are key points that have been overlooked in the debate? Your comments will help to inform the Inquiry’s final report.

Please share your views with us, and others, by leaving a comment below. However, if you’d prefer to comment privately please email gpinquiry@kingsfund.org.uk

Your comments

  • Helpful summary of the problems in providing EOLC. Note the theme of making EOLC an important part of the day job and need to find ways in which it gets the same priority as many of the other pressing needs in primary care. Note there was little about do not attempt resuscitation.

    Richard Oliver
    16 Jun 10

  • I believe that EOLC is a core activity for GPs. In my area we have a good hospice support network available. However I would like to have more direct discussion with hospice staff on the delivery of care and less letters/faxes, in my practice we always try to make ourselves readily available to other healthcare staff. I am concerned that the new emphasis on EOLC seems to have produced more forms to fill and that the time will be used for that rather than communicating with patient/carers/staff.

    Chris Elliott
    20 Jun 10

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Inquiry into the quality of general practice in England

Download the research paper

  • End-of-life care

    This paper was commissioned by The King's Fund to inform the Inquiry panel for the Inquiry into the Quality of General Practice in England.