RCN welcomes guidance on care after death

Published: 08 April 2011

The Royal College of Nursing has endorsed new guidance highlighting the wide-ranging and sensitive care needed when someone dies.

Guidance for staff responsible for care after death (Last Offices) emphasises that care extends well beyond physically preparing the body for transfer either to the mortuary or funeral director.  

It was initiated by the National Palliative Care Nurse Consultants Group in partnership with the National End of Life Care Programme.

Lynn Young, RCN Primary Health Care Adviser, said there has been progress recently on the provision of end of life care, although more work has to be done to ensure patients’ preferences on how and where they choose to die are considered.

She said: “This document is welcomed by the RCN; it is a helpful contribution so nurses are able to provide the very best of care following the death of a patient.

“It has also been recognised that the end of life is not when care stops. The care provided after death is also important. Nurses need to understand how the body should be prepared before being transferred, as well as other activities which also need to be carried out in a sensitive manner.”

The guidance is the first in a series of forthcoming publications around care after death, including a revision of the Department of Health’s 2005 document, When a patient dies.

There will soon be two new learning sessions on care after death available through End of Life Care for All.

Download the guidance on the NHS National End of Life Care Programme website