Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness. It is carried out by means of early identification and assessment/treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems. 

End-of-life care (EoLC) helps those with advanced, progressive, life-threatening illness to live as well as possible through the prevention and relief of suffering. It enables the needs of both patient and family to be identified and met throughout the last phase of life and into bereavement. It includes management of pain and other symptoms, and provision of psychological, social, spiritual and practical support.

Covid-19 support

The London EoLC Clinical Network published a Covid-19 London primary care support document (see Downloads), which includes guidance around the entire EoLC pathway, including symptom control, compassionate conversations and care after death among other areas.

See also: 

• Guidance on symptom control using non-oral, non-parental routes of medication administration during Covid-19 
• RCGP death certification guidance.

Pan-London EoLC MAAR chart 

An EoLC Medical Authorisation and Administration Record (MAAR) was agreed by the London-wide Clinical Advisory Group in July 2020. See Downloads for more information.