Nursing Times sets out principles of palliative care

The Nursing Times has published an article establishing the principles of palliative care nursing and end-of-life care. The article defines palliative care according to the World Health Organisation and to the UK standards set out by the National Council of Palliative Care. It then explains how palliative care is an integral part of nursing: ‘...nursing and palliative care are natural partners in clinical practice and…the knowledge and skills required in this area are applicable to all nurses… The values and beliefs that underpin high-quality palliative care are integral to good nursing.’ The author, Robert Becker, then describes the current government strategies for palliative and end-of-life care in the UK, which increasingly focuses on patient choice and self-determination within health and social care settings. In particular, the patient’s choice about the place of death is now considered a key priority. The article can be read at the Nursing Times website.