Includes bibliographical references and index

Forewords, Preface, About this book, Acknowledgements, Glossary, Part 1: Palliative care at home: why is it important?, 1 Introduction: companions on the journey, 2 A modern way of dying, 3 Living and dying at home, 4 Needs-based care, Part 2: Present knowledge and words of wisdom: how can we begin?, 5 Evidence-based care, 6 Changes in a changing world, 7 The key features of palliative care for patients with the common cancers 99, 8 Tripwires in palliative care, 9 Bereavement, 10 Sources of help and words of wisdom, Part 3: The Gold Standards Framework - A Handbook for Practices and the GSF Programme, 11 Background to the Gold Standards Framework, 12 Communication: Gold Standard 1, 13 Coordination: Gold Standard 2, 14 Control of symptoms: Gold Standard 3, 15 Continuity of care out-of-hours: Gold Standard 4, 16 Continued learning: Gold Standard 5, 17 Carer support: Gold Standard 6, 18 Care of the dying (terminal phase): Gold Standard 7, 19 Getting going: tool kits and the next steps for the GSF Programme, Further reading, Appendix, Index

his comprehensive resource book, the key text for the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Programme, supports and enables all primary health professionals, and all those involved in palliative care, to make improvements in care provided for their patients, as recommended in the NICE guidance on Supportive and Palliative Care. It aims to strengthen the role, confidence, systems and skills of primary healthcare teams for the delivery of palliative care and patient support. The GSF, recommended and promoted by the NHS End of Life Initiative, Modernisation Agency and Macmillan, is already used by over 1000 teams in the UK, and is now being offered to every primary care team to improve end-of-life care for all.