Artificial nutrition and hydration: summary guidance

Author:
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PALLIATIVE CARE
Publisher:
National Council for Palliative Care
Publication year:
2011
Pagination:
7p.
Place of publication:
London

Artificial nutrition and hydration has the potential to prolong life, and improve general well-being. For some patients with life threatening illnesses this may be advantageous even if the underlying disease process continues to deteriorate. This document summarises Artificial Nutrition & Hydration: Guidance in End of Life Care for Adults. It identifies some of the practical, legal and ethical issues that may arise when artificial nutrition and hydration is being considered and contains two illustrative case studies. It also includes some suggested approaches to opening up discussion about these important issues. This document is intended to help health and social care staff in all settings such as care homes, community hospitals, hospitals and hospices. It is intended to act as an introduction to this subject but it is strongly recommended that the reader also refers to the full version of the Guidance.

Subject terms:
hospices, medical treatment, nutrition, older people, care homes, end of life care, hydration;
Content type:
practice guidance
Location(s):
United Kingdom
ISBN print:
978 1 898915 54 6

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