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End-of-life treatment and care involves making decisions that are both clinically and emotionally complex, which can often involve ethical dilemmas. To help with this difficult yet important part of healthcare, the General Medical Council (GMC) has published guidance on Treatment and care towards the end of life,¹ which expands on the principles of good practice in the GMC’s Good medical practice, and is consistent with current UK law.

Professor Steve Field, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, has welcomed this new guidance, which complements the RCGP’s End of life care strategy published in 2009.² He commented: ‘GPs are well placed to provide excellent end-of-life care. …We strongly support the emphasis on advance care planning discussions with patients in order to clarify their wishes, needs and preferences, and to deliver high-quality care aligned with these choices. With end-of-life care, we want to treat patients with dignity and respect, and to make their care, and choice of care, our ultimate priority.’

The GMC guidance on end-of-life care provides healthcare professionals with a supportive framework that enables them to ensure the needs of individual patients are met; it should be implemented alongside key guidance and strategies for the management of advanced, progressive, incurable, or life-threatening acute conditions.

References

1. General Medical Council. Treatment and care towards the end of life: good practice in decision making. London: GMC, 2010. Available at: www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/6858.asp
2. Royal College of General Practitioners. RCGP end of life care strategy 2009. London: RCGP, 2009. Available at: www.rcgp.org.uk

Julia Morris, Editor
julia.morris@mgp.ltd.ukG