PINC - Care at the End of Life

Our PINC programme - Palliative Initiatives in Neurological Care - works to ensure that the complex and individual care needs of people with neurological conditions are met at the end of life.

PINC was developed following estimates that in England and Wales up to 300,000 people with diseases other than cancer need palliative care, and currently do not receive it. In collaboration with Sue Ryder Care's specialist palliative care services, PINC adapted and piloted the three nationally recognised end of life care tools – Gold Standards Framework in Care Homes, Liverpool Care Pathway and Preferred Priorities for Care. The programme sought to improve end of life care and provide palliative care education and training to staff.

Following a rigorous evaluation by the Sue Ryder Care Centre for Palliative and End of Life Studies at the University of Nottingham, work has began to implement what we have learnt and to expand PINC to develop a coordinated End of Life and Bereavement Care programme across neurological, specialist palliative care and homecare settings. 

This model will support the delivery of end of life care as an acknowledged part of our healthcare service provision, and will demonstrate how the best possible use is being made of resources to ensure that we continue to support people in our care to die with dignity, free of pain and in the setting of their choice.

For more information email Judi Byrne.