Written question asked by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Monday, 12 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 December 2005. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Hospital Discharge (Terminally Ill Patients)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to primary care trusts on the discharge from hospital of people who are terminally ill.

Answer: [holding answer 15 December 2005]: The discharge of terminally ill patients from hospital is based on the clinical decision of the health service staff responsible for that patient's care. Decisions on discharge are informed by the recommendations in the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance on supportive and palliative care, published in 2004. The guidance endorses the use of three key tools: the gold standard framework, the Liverpool care pathway and the preferred place of care, which support clinicians and patients to plan how and where services are provided that best meet the wishes of the patient. The national roll-out of these tools is a key part of the end of life care programme, which is a three-year Government programme to provide patients with the choice to die at home.

Secondary information