End-of-life Care in Care Homes (Scotland) Policy

Policy Statement

This policy set outs the values, principles and practices underpinning the care home’s approach to the care of service users who are terminally ill and whose death may be imminent. It is written in line with the values, principles and standards described in My Life, My Support (2017), notably 1.7, which states, “I am supported to discuss significant changes in my life, including death or dying and this is handled sensitively.”

It should be used with reference to the home’s policy and procedures in the event of the death of a service user.

The Covid-19 pandemic raised specific challenges for care home service users, their families and the staff with regard to end-of-life care provision. Care home service users were particularly vulnerable to the infection and therefore outbreaks in care homes proved devastating.