The costs of anticipatory medications for patients approaching the end-of-life at home or in care homes are modest but most of the drugs are never used, suggests new research from the University of Cambridge’s Primary Care Unit. The study is the first detailed analysis of the prescription, usage and wastage costs of these injectable end-of-life […]
Uncertainty in serious illness: to the state of the science, and beyond
Dr Simon Noah Etkind is a member of the Cambridge Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group (PELiCam) at the University of Cambridge. His research addresses uncertainty in serious illness. In this blog he describes a rapid prioritisation approach at a workshop he organised, to develop and rank uncertainty research priorities. The workshop was […]
How doctors experienced with end of life care communicate about assisted hydration
New research from Dr Arjun Kingdon at the University of Cambridge’s Primary Care Unit throws light on why assisted hydration for patients near the end of life is difficult for doctors to discuss with patients and families. Assisted hydration at the end of life is a highly emotive topic. Some may remember negative headlines about […]
Research update with PELiCam,15th March 2022
The latest research from the Palliative & End of Life Group in Cambridge (PELiCam) was discussed at the 15th March dissemination morning at Madingley Hall. It had been two years since many attendees had been able to meet together and share ideas and experiences. This was a welcome and energising opportunity for 80 clinicians and […]
Palliative care emergency service co-designed by Dr Stephen Barclay wins HSJ award
The NHS 111 Option 3 Palliative Care Hub service, developed for patients, family members and staff across Cambridgeshire, won the Health Services Journal Primary Care Innovation of the Year Award on 18th November 2021. The service was developed by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), with guidance and support from Dr Stephen Barclay, […]
New insights into the advance prescribing of injectable medications at the end of life
The advance prescribing of injectable medications is recommended for patients approaching the end of life at home in the UK and elsewhere. But prescriptions vary in frequency depending on which GP practice patients are registered with and what conditions they have, report researchers from the University of Cambridge. The medications, which usually include opioids, can […]