Research BMJ Support Palliat Care: first published as 10.1136/bmjspcare-2014-000810 on 17 January 2017. Downloaded from How well do we currently care for our dying patients in acute hospitals: the views of the bereaved relatives? Catriona Rachel Mayland,1 Helen Mulholland,1 Maureen Gambles,1 John Ellershaw,1 Kevin Stewart2 1Marie Curie Palliative Care ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Institute Liverpool (MCPCIL), Background The National Care of the Dying Care of dying patients is part of the core Cancer Research Centre, — University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Audit Hospitals (NCDAH) is used as a method business for acute hospitals. Although a UK to evaluate care for dying patients in England. European study demonstrated national 2 Clinical Effectiveness and An additional component to the 2013/2014 variations in the proportion of hospital Evaluation Unit, Royal College of 1 audit was the Local Survey of Bereaved Relatives deaths, a significant proportion of Physicians, London, UK Views using the ‘Care Of the Dying Evaluation’ patients within many developed coun- Correspondence to (CODE) questionnaire. tries, including the UK, continue to die in – Dr Catriona Rachel Mayland, Aim Within the context of the NCDAH audit, to hospitals.2 4 Indeed, for some patients, Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool (MCPCIL), evaluate quality of care provided to dying the acute hospital is their preferred place Cancer Research Centre, patients and their families in acute hospitals from of care and death, as home represents a University of Liverpool, 200 the perspective of bereaved relatives. ‘lonely and frightening place’.5 A recent copyright. London Road, Liverpool L3 9TA, Design Postbereavement survey to bereaved Scottish study, establishing the likelihood UK;
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