The Individualised Care of the Dying Document (ICODD) assists staff in delivering the 5 Priorities of Care for dying patients, and a working group has improved and updated the document.  We hope the new layout is easier to complete and we have updated guidance on the review of medications at the end of life, with specific advice on the management of diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and on the management of breathlessness.  A new section relates to the assessment of a patient’s mental capacity to consent to treatment in hospital, and to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) legislation in patients who are actively dying.

The parking exemption form, which ward nurses can complete and sign, and the care of the deceased patient checklist have also been built the ICODD, and we hope that this will ensure that more patients and those close to them will receive appropriate and sensitive care.

The Specialist Palliative Care Team (SPCT) will start visiting wards next week, issuing an initial supply of the new ICODD as well as removing the current version.  The new document is also available to view on the repository, and while we ask that staff order replacement packs from supplies, spare continuation sheets can be printed off from the repository should more be needed.

The Care of the Dying Patient information leaflet (corp 0025) has also been updated, and will be available to order from the repository through the normal supplies process.

If you feel you or your ward team (doctors and nurses) would benefit from additional training in using the ICODD to support your patients, please contact any of the members of the Specialist Palliative Care Team on HRI ext 2965.