Peer appointed to lead Liverpool Care Pathway review

The Department of Health has appointed a crossbench peer to chair a review assessing the application of the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP), a methodology covering palliative care that has attracted controversy in its application across the NHS.

Baroness Julia Neuberger, the senior rabbi at the West London Synagogue and former chief executive of the King's Fund, will lead the assessment, which takes into account the experience of patients, families and health professionals, as well as hospital complaints, previous reviews and payments made to healthcare institutions.

Concerns have been raised over cases in which patients or their families were ignored or not properly involved in decisions relating to the LCP, with some experiencing withdrawal of food or fluids without proper consultation.

Baroness Neuberger's review will make recommendations about what changes may be needed to improve care, improve transparency and ensure the dignity of patients is maintained.

Care and support minister Norman Lamb said: "End of life is a culturally, medically and spiritually sensitive area and her unique knowledge and experience make her the ideal person to lead this work."

Earlier this month, the government announced a scheme that will provide funding for UK businesses developing products or services to improve the experience of people at the end of their lives.