The problem with the Liverpool Care Pathway is that someone felt the need to give it a name. Once it had a name it also developed boxes that needed ticking. Everything really went downhill from there. In nearly 30 years of general practice I’ve looked after many dying patients, but each individual’s needs are different. Perhaps it’s because I haven’t given what I do a name, that I haven’t stopped doing it and am going to continue until I retire, working in the same way. Of course, because there are no boxes, there are no QOF points to it; but, I’m rather pleased about that.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2013