Liverpool Care Pathway – Is There No End To The Tally?

Here is The Telegraph –

TV chef's anger over mother's 'end-of-life' pathway

A TELEVISION chef has told how she stepped in after hearing that her elderly mother was on an end-of-life care pathway despite staging a dramatic recovery.

Rustie Lee and her mother Eugenie Edwards Photo: BPM MEDIA

By John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor

5:15PM GMT 31 Oct 2012

Rustie Lee refused permission for her mother Eugenie Edwards, 87, to be placed on the Supportive Care Pathway (SCP) – similar to the controversial Liverpool Care Pathway – at Birmingham City Hospital after suffering heart and kidney failure.

She was expected to live only 48 hours but recovered enough to be discharged from hospital only six days later.

The television star said that her mother was already showing signs of improvement and was able to eat by the time she was told that doctors had placed her on the pathway.

The SCP, which is used in hospitals in Birmingham, involves “rationalising” the amount of medication given to patients judged to be approaching the end of their lives. It does not involve withdrawing food or fluids.

“When I saw my mum in hospital she did seem poorly, but not as if she was about to pass away,” said Lee.

“In fact, she didn't look close to that.

"Yet we were told she had 24 to 48 hours to live and was about to be put on this pathway.

“I was only told about the plan when I went over to see the nurses to ask for painkillers for my mum.

“I was so shocked to be told she was on some pathway. I told the doctor this was not going to happen.”

A spokeswoman for the trust said: “Mrs Edwards was very ill when she was admitted to our Medical Assessment Unit.

“She was put on the Supportive Care Pathway and this was explained to her family.

“Our records show that she was offered food to eat at this time.

“When we became aware of the family’s concerns regarding the pathway, she was taken off at their request.

“We are sorry to hear that Mrs Edwards’ family were unhappy with aspects of her care.

“Our aim is to address concerns when they happen, however, if the family feel they would like more clarification we are more than happy for them to contact us to discuss this further.”