The WA lcp : A pathway to improved care of the dying in Western Australia

Information sheet for patients and families

In 2008 the West Australia government, through the WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network,
recognised the need to adopt a pathway to support patients to die with dignity and to provide
care and support of relatives and carers.
The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP) developed by the Marie Curie
Palliative Care Institute, Liverpool UK, was selected and adapted for use in WA. The LCP,
which has been modified and improved over the past 13 years, is recognised internationally as
guiding best practice in palliative care in the last days or hours of life.
Over the years our knowledge of the best way to care for a patient who is dying has increased
- gained in the main part through the care provided to patients dying within a hospice setting.
The aim of the pathway is to transfer the professional knowledge gained within a hospice
setting to hospital and other health care settings.
The WA model of LCP is called the WA lcp. The WA lcp supports patients who are dying from
any illness. The pathway is only used when the health care team have identified that the
patient is dying and that all reversible causes have been considered. If a patients health
improves the pathway is stopped.
The WA lcp assists the health team caring for a patient to provide the best quality of care at a
time that is very difficult for everyone involved. It provides guidance around important issues
such as communication, psychological and spiritual care, improving comfort, assessing pain,
commencing required medications and ceasing unnecessary treatment. All of these measures
are underpinned by the importance of caring for the patient and their family.
Family members and carers are involved in discussions with the health team about their loved
ones care, to ensure that there is full understanding of the reasons why decisions may be
reviewed and changed. Care and assessment is provided by all members of the team to meet
the unique needs of each patient. In this way, the pathway ensures that everyone involved
recognises the individual nature of the patient and their familys journey.
To date, the WA lcp has been introduced into over forty hospitals within Western Australia. At
each site the pathway assists health care staff to continually improve the care and services
provided to patients and families and to monitor improvements. Nursing and medical staff
within each health care facility are fully trained in the use of the pathway and receive ongoing
intensive support by a dedicated team based at the WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network.
To find out more about the WA lcp and the Liverpool Care Pathway, go to :
http://www.liv.ac.uk/mcpcil/liverpool-care-pathway/index.htm
http://www.healthnetworks.health.wa.gov.au/cancer/palliative/index.cfm