Letter

Continuous deep sedation

Dutch research reflects problems with the Liverpool care pathway

BMJ 2008; 336 doi: 10.1136/bmj.39556.400370.80 (Published 24 April 2008)
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;336:905.1

Access to the full text of this article requires a subscription or payment. Please log in or subscribe below.

  1. Adrian J Treloar, consultant and senior lecturer in old age psychiatry
  1. 1Memorial Hospital, London SE18 3RZ
  1. adrian.treloar{at}oxleas.nhs.uk

    The Liverpool care pathway (LCP) is the UK’s main clinical pathway of continuous deep sedation and is promoted for roll out across the NHS.1 Rietjens et al’s study highlights some serious weaknesses in its design.2

    The eligibility criteria do not ensure that only people who are about to die are allowed on to the pathway. They allow people who are thought to be dying, are bed bound, and are unable …

    Access to the full text of this article requires a subscription or payment

    Subscribe

    Article access

    Article access for 1 day

    Purchase this article for £20 $30 €32*

    The PDF version can be downloaded as your personal record

    * Prices do not include VAT

    Rapid responses

    THIS WEEK'S POLL

    BMJ most popular