New key skills defined for end of life care

The sector skills councils Skills for Health and Skills for Care have unveiled a new set of key skills for all staff that work with terminally-ill people. The move comes in response to the Government’s End of Life Care Strategy, published in July 2008, and is designed to bring about ‘a cultural shift in attitudes and behaviour related to end of life care’ amongst staff working in care homes, hospitals and other settings. Staff will be expected to train in the new competencies and principles in addition to any existing training that they need to undertake for their specific occupation. The core competencies are defined as communication, care assessment, symptom management and advance care planning. These are underpinned by a set of principles which include fully involving the patient in all aspects of their care; keeping families and friends informed about choices and available support; and delivering care in a sensitive, patient-focused manner. You can download the full document outlining the new key skills at the NHS’s end of life care website.