End of life care became the focus of media attention in 2013 when the Liverpool Care Pathway was found to be not fit for purpose. This article looks at the policy background to end of life care in the UK, as well as the current state of provision, from a community nursing perspective. It also focuses on pressure ulceration, a key complication for patients at the end of life, offering advice on how to approach skin care for this patient group. Finally, the author examines the implications for treatment of mental capacity legislation, and how concepts such as 'advanced decisions' and ethics affect nurses trying to treat patients at the end of life.
Peter Pridmore attempts to link theory to practice using ethical principles and the UKCC's codes
Vivien Ogden discusses the ethical and legal rights of a mentally frail elderly patient who required an invasive nursing procedure in order that his family could cope with him at home.
Vivien Ogden BA (Hons), RGN, NDN is a District Nursing Sister, Reading, Berkshire.
Article accepted for publication: April 2005
Ethical issues in community care
Gill Harris discusses the ethical issues surrounding a patient with Motor Neurone Disease who would not comply with treatment and medication regimes.
Gill Harris BSc (Hons), DN is a District Nurse, Adur, Arun & Worthing PCT.
Article accepted for publication: October 2005
Jackie Vasey discusses the ethical and legal dilemmas facing health professionals who work with children and young adults
Jackie Vasey RGN, RSCN, BHSc Hons, PG Dip HPE is a Senior Lecturer – Child Nursing at the University of Huddersfield
Article accepted for publication: August 2008
Eleni Chambers, Amanda Clarke & Jo Cooke discuss the value of involving patients and the public in research
Eleni Chambers MSc, DipSW, BSc (Hons) is a User Researcher, Centre for Psychological Services Research, University of Sheffield,
Amanda Clarke, PhD, RGN, BA (Hons), MA is a Senior Lecturer, Centre of Advanced Studies in Nursing, University of Aberdeen,
Jo Cooke, B Nurs., RGN, RHV, NDN MA is a Programme manager to the Collaborqation and Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for South Yorkshire (CLAHRC-SY), Honorary Senior Fellow ScHARR.
Article accepted for publication: January 2009
Rev. Professor John Swinton discusses the significance of research ethics and encourages community practitioners to engage in ethical reflection in their day-to-day working lives
Rev. Professor John Swinton, Professor in Practical Theology & Pastoral Care. School of Divinity, History & Philosophy, King’s College, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
Article accepted for publication: January 2009
Nadia Dossa gives a personal reflective account of a situation where the ethics of truth telling were scrutinised.
Nadia Dossa MSc, BSc (Hons), RGN is a Senior Lecturer, Thames Valley University, Middlesex
Article accepted for publication: January 2010
