Getting it Right: End of Life Care in Advanced Kidney Disease is based on the experiences of three project groups – in Bristol, Greater Manchester and London – which have been working with NHS Kidney Care to implement the 2009 framework for end of life care in advanced kidney disease. The report describes their approaches, the challenges they have overcome and the knowledge and experience that can be shared with others seeking to improve end of life care for patients.
Effective systems for identifying patients nearing the end of life and for recording their wishes have been identified as one of the most important steps in supporting those with advanced kidney disease to live as full a life as possible and to die with dignity in a setting of their own choice.
Other recommendations include:
- Having staff dedicated to supporting a culture where end of life issues are discussed with patients and their families in a timely but sensitive way
- Using appropriate IT systems for end of life registers so that all appropriate staff in the unit and partner organisations can access a patient’s expressed preferences
- Offering advance care planning to all dialysis patients
- Building relationships with partner organisations, such as care homes and hospices, to share knowledge and expertise and support a greater coordination of care
- Providing specific end of life care and communications skills training for staff.
The Getting it Right report is available to download from the NHS Kidney Care website.
