As a nation we face multiple challenges if we are to meet the needs and preferences of people as they approach death, as outlined in the UK Department of Health End of Life Care strategy (July 2008).
The reality of death and dying is rarely discussed in modern society. Many consider death to be the last great taboo in our society and there is evidence to show that most of us find it hard to engage in advance with the way in which we would like to be cared for at the end of life, as outlined in the UK Department of Health End of Life Care strategy (July 2008).
Over the past few years the concept of a care pathway has been found to be useful for the planning, contracting and monitoring of services across a wide range of conditions, as outlined in the UK Department of Health End of Life Care strategy (July 2008).
The physical environment of different settings, including hospitals and care homes, can have a direct impact on the experience of care for people at the end of life and on the memories of their carers and families, as outlined in the UK Department of Health End of Life Care strategy (July 2008).
There is widespread agreement on the importance of workforce development to the overall success of this End of Life Care Strategy and an acknowledgement that there are major deficiencies in the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours of staff groups who come into frequent contact with people at the end of their lives, as outlined in the UK Department of Health End of Life Care strategy (July 2008).
Good information on end of life care is needed by patients, carers, commissioners, clinicians, service providers, researchers, planners and designers and policy makers, as outlined in the UK Department of Health End of Life Care strategy (July 2008).
Sustained leadership and drive will be needed both nationally and locally to ensure that appropriate actions are taken at each step in the end of life care pathway and across all the settings, as outlined in the UK Department of Health End of Life Care strategy (July 2008).
