The aim of this book is to provide an overview of current issues in supporting dying patients and their families in the community (patient’s own home, nursing/residential setting), hospice or in an acute hospital setting. This introduction to palliative care is about the care of people facing death, both those who will die and those who accompany them – families, friends, community workers, volunteer workers and healthcare and social care workers. It is estimated that every year more than 20 million patients need palliative care at the end of life. The use of specialist palliative care services is based on an assumption that people share a common understanding of the terminology and purpose of palliative care. Definitions and terminology are poorly understood and not agreed. Some of the terms used to describe palliative care are shown in Figure 1.1.
Setting the scene
Introduction
What is palliative care?
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