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5. PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care and end of life care are integral parts of care delivery for people living with cancer, sometimes called survivorship, and for those people who, unfortunately, subsequently die from cancer. Palliative care is not just about care in the last months, days and hours of a person's life. It is also about enabling someone to live with a life-threatening condition, maintaining as far as possible, improving quality of life for patients and their families. As well as controlling pain and other distressing symptoms, it is about helping patients and their families cope with emotional upset and practical problems of the situation, helping people to deal with spiritual questions which may arise from their illness, and supporting family and friends in their bereavement.
Better Health, Better Care confirmed that by March 2008 a plan will be published that will bring a single, comprehensive approach to palliative care across Scotland. Our strategic approach will reflect the recommendations of the report from the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care: Palliative and End of Life Care in Scotland: The Case for a Cohesive Approach. It will ensure that the planning and provision of services fully recognise the needs of patients and carers; and that the professionals who provide care are able to do so in a way which is integrated and in the most appropriate setting in line with the patient's wishes wherever possible.
Issues to Consider
- There are numerous examples of excellent palliative care in Scotland. How do we ensure that this happens more systematically?
- What are the key issues for people with cancer and their carers when considering palliative care services?
- How do we balance the need to ensure local access and convenience with the need to maintain specialist expertise and capacity?
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