The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient: a critical analysis of its rise, demise and legacy in England.

ABSTRACT: Background: The Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient ('LCP') was an integrated care pathway (ICP) recommended by successive governments in England and Wales to improve end-of-life care. It was discontinued in 2014 following mounting criticism and a national review.  Understanding the problems encountered in the roll out of the LCP has crucial importance for future policy making in end of life care. We provide an in-depth account of LCP development and implementation with explanatory theoretical perspectives. We address three critical questions: 1) why and how did the LCP come to prominence as a vehicle of policy and practice? 2) what factors contributed to its demise? 3) what immediate implications and lessons resulted from its withdrawal? Methods: We use primary and

SUBMITTER: Seymour J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5963294 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature