End of life and palliative care toolkit

Patient resources: Planning ahead

These resources may be shared with patients who have been diagnosed as likely to die within the next 12 months. They provide information for the patient to plan ahead and decide on their care pathway.

• Making advance decisions to refuse treatment
• Dying well at home
• Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief Encouraging open discussions about death and planning ahead in Scotland
• End of Life Care guide NHS Choices
• Advanced care planning in 5 simple steps. A video to help ensure people receive the care they want when they need it
• Planning Ahead: My treatment and care (Compassion in Dying, 2018).

Resources for those close to a dying patient

The following resources are appropriate to share with informal carers and those close to a patient who is dying. These resources aim to support individuals affected by the end of life process happening to those close to them.

• Dying Matters - Finding help locally 
• Winston's Wish Online resource for bereaved children
• What to expect when someone important to you is dying A guide for carers, families and friends of dying people
• Talk CPR Online resources including the Talk CPR videos and website, co-designed by patients and carers in Wales.

Resources and guidance for patients and carers

• ‘Find a hospice’ online directory
• ‘Tell me about hospice care: an introduction to hospice care and how to access it’ booklet
• What to expect when someone important to you is dying: a guide for carers, families and friends of someone who is dying
• Planning your future care: a guide.

Clinical resources and guidance for practices

• Dementia and end of life care Community of Practice 
• Ewing G and Grande GE. (2018) Providing comprehensive, person-centred assessment and support for family carers towards the end of life: 10 recommendations for achieving organisational change. London: Hospice UK.