Diabetes end of life care recommendations updated

By Editor
2nd April 2018
Clinical guidance

A set of clinical recommendations designed to improve the care of people with diabetes at the end of their life has been updated.

The third edition of the ‘End of Life Diabetes Care: Clinical Care Recommendations’ has been published to reflect latest evidence.

It has been commissioned by Diabetes UK and developed by ABCD, TREND-UK and Diabetes Frail.

The document aims to summarise a consistent but high-quality approach towards end of life care for people with diabetes by providing a series of clinical care recommendations.

Professor Alan Sinclair, one of the authors, said: “This updated guidance summarises the major clinical problems that individuals with diabetes at the end of life experience and how these are best managed.

“We have provided additional information on the early identi cation of those entering an end of life scenario, a new section on special populations such as those who are frail or demented, or residing in a care home, additional guidance relating to those with cancer and renal failure on dialysis, and updated our guidance on advance care directives. We have also revised our information on glucose-lowering therapies including the newer insulin analogues.”

Professor Bee Wee, National Clinical Director for End of Life Care for NHS England, said: “I welcome the publication of these clinical care recommendations. Improving the care of people with diabetes throughout their life right up to the time they die is critically important for their overall experience and quality of life, and that of those who are important to them. These recommendations contribute towards achieving the Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care which includes the ambition to maximise comfort and well-being and to ensure that everyone has fair access to care.”

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity for NHS England, added: “The care of people dying with diabetes demands a multidisciplinary approach with healthcare professionals coming together with the person with diabetes, their family and their carers to formulate and deliver a plan for management through all the phases of dying.

“The third edition of the End of Life Diabetes Care document is therefore welcome, as it guides clinicians to deliver the best care possible to support people living with diabetes until they die.”

To access the document, click here.

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