The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) has nine key points it wants the Government to consider in its recently announced review of the controversial Liverpool Care Pathway. It suggests that only those who are in the last few days of life should be placed on the LCP and that placing someone on the LCP should be discussed with the relative or carer. Latest figures suggest that around 130,000 people a year are dying on the LCP, amounting to about a third of annual deaths in the UK. Writing in a review for CMF’s Journal, Dr Jeff Stephenson, a Devon-based consultant in palliative care says: ‘The LCP represents a pragmatic and effective response to some of the suffering experienced by many in the last days of life. There is always potential for misuse and abuse and there are undoubtedly instances where this occurs.’
Pray: that the CMF’s points will be considered seriously in the coming review. (Lev.19:32)