Palliative care physios welcome NICE call to care for dying people as individuals

The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Oncology and Palliative Care (ACPOPC) has welcomed a guideline saying end-of-life care in England must be tailored to the needs of dying people.

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ACPOPC welcomed the move away from 'one size fits all' end-of-life care

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) document, published on 16 December, aims to put dying people at the heart of decisions about their care, so they can be supported in their final days according to their wishes.

Joanna Strong, ACPOPC’s public relations officer, said: ‘ACPOPC welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the development of this guideline from the outset and supports the move away from a “one size fits all” approach to more individualised end-of-life care.

‘Physiotherapists have the opportunity to support people who are approaching end of life in a range of clinical settings – not just in specialist palliative care.

‘ACPOPC will continue to strive to promote the role of physiotherapy in non-pharmacological symptom management, maximising dignity and promoting quality of remaining life in all aspects of care of the dying adult.’

The guidance covers the clinical care of dying adults in the last two to three days of life. It is intended to support physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals in all areas of the NHS and hospices.

  • Further NICE guidance published on 17 December recommends initiatives to help older people to be more involved in their communities. It says that public health professionals should consider group and intergenerational activities for older people as part of their work.


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