The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying (LCP): Lost in translation and a tale of elephants, men, myopia – and a horse

Imminence of death among hospital inpatients: Prevalent cohort study

“…Our findings support the various initiatives currently underway to raise the profile of end-of-life care in the hospital. Best known of these, and currently the subject of much debate, is the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP); 17 whatever the outcome of decisions about what should replace the LCP, 18 – 20 the need is clear for some structured approach to the identification and care of patients in hospital in the last days of life – shown in our data to be 9% of the hospital population. In Ireland, a wider ‘systems approach’ has been developed known as the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme, which seeks to promote improved end-of-life care as part of the ‘core business’ of the acute hospital.…”

‘Less ticking the boxes, more providing support’: A qualitative study on health professionals’ concerns towards the Liverpool Care of the Dying Pathway

“…In view of such considerations and in keeping with commentaries published both prior to and after the Neuberger review, [28][29][30][31] caring for the dying does, indeed, involve the mastering of a number of skills and competencies that a 'pathway' is inherently not meant to address. Consequently, the reasoning underlying the rationale for the LCP would appear to be flawed insofar, as it was originally aimed at helping and supporting non-expert staff.…”

Life after the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP): a qualitative study of critical care practitioners delivering end‐of‐life care

“…Walker and Read (2010) studied critical care nurses and doctors using the LCP in the UK and concluded that whilst there were positive experiences of implementing the LCP, its frequency and appropriate use was highly dependent on practitioners' experience and training received. Nevertheless, following media criticism on the LCP in the UK (The Times 2013, George et al 2014), Baroness Neuberger's review raised substantial concerns, including the use of the term 'pathway', a lack of strong evidence for the LCP's role in improving the quality of end-of-life care and inconsistencies in LCP documentation (Chan & Webster 2010, Neuberger et al 2013, Parry et al 2013. Consequently, use of the LCP was phased out from UK clinical practice by July 2014 and a national consultation commenced to make further specific recommendations.…”

“…Nevertheless, following media criticism on the LCP in the UK (The Times , George et al . ), Baroness Neuberger's review raised substantial concerns, including the use of the term ‘pathway’, a lack of strong evidence for the LCP's role in improving the quality of end‐of‐life care and inconsistencies in LCP documentation (Chan & Webster , Neuberger et al . , Parry et al .…”