This guide will help you answer 2.6 define local and national policy and guidance for care after death.
When providing care after death, it is crucial to understand and adhere to local and national policies and guidance. This ensures that the deceased are treated with dignity and respect, and that their families receive the support they need. Below, we delve into these policies and guidance.
Local Policy and Guidance
Local policies are set by organisations such as NHS trusts, care homes, and local health authorities. These policies focus on the specifics of care within that geographical or organisational setting.
Individual Organisation Protocols
Most healthcare organisations and care homes develop their own protocols for care after death. These protocols include immediate actions following a death, such as:
- Verifying death and notifying relevant personnel.
- Ensuring the body’s dignity, like closing eyes and covering with a clean sheet.
- Documenting the death in the patient’s records.
- Notifying next of kin or close family members.
Local Authority Procedures
Local authorities have specific procedures to follow when a death occurs. This includes:
- Registering the death within five days.
- Organising post-mortem examinations if the death was sudden or unexplained.
- Liaising with funeral directors to arrange removal and care of the body.
Training for care staff on these procedures is typically provided to ensure compliance and understanding.
National Policy and Guidance
National policies provide a framework within which local guidelines are developed. Key national documents include:
The Care After Death: Guidance for Staff Responsible for Care After Death (2nd Edition)
Published by Hospice UK, this document forms the cornerstone of national guidelines. It outlines:
- Best practices in verifying and certifying death.
- Steps to take immediately after death, including patient identification and respectful handling.
- Legal requirements and documentation needed post-death.
- Support structures for grieving families.
- Protocols for post-mortem care and hygiene.
End of Life Care Strategy
The End of Life Care Strategy, by the Department of Health, aims to deliver high-quality care at the end of life. This strategy extends to care after death, focusing on:
- Ensuring compassionate and dignified end-of-life care.
- Comprehensive communication plans with families before, during, and after the death.
- Co-ordination between healthcare teams to manage the patient’s journey smoothly.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Regulations
The CQC oversees the quality and safety of health and social care services in England. Relevant regulations include:
- Regulation 12: Care and Treatment of Service Users, ensuring the use of safe care practices.
- Regulation 20: Duty of Candour, ensuring transparency with families regarding the care their loved ones received.
- Regulation 17: Good Governance, focusing on accurate record-keeping and handling of patient data.
The Law and Caring for the Deceased
Understanding legal requirements is paramount. These include:
- The Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953: This law mandates the formal registration of all deaths.
- The Coroners and Justice Act 2009: This act outlines the role of coroners in investigating sudden or unexplained deaths.
- Human Tissue Act 2004: This act governs the use of human tissue, ensuring consent is obtained for post-mortem examinations or organ donations.
Key Aspects of Care After Death
Verification and Certification of Death
Verification of death must be carried out by a qualified healthcare professional. Certification requires a doctor to complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
Handling and Transporting the Body
Careful and respectful handling is critical:
- Maintained dignity: The body should be clean, with personal effects preserved.
- Transportation: The body should be transported in a clean, suitably equipped vehicle by trained personnel.
Supporting Families
Family support involves:
- Providing clear information about next steps.
- Offering emotional support and counselling services.
- Ensuring family members know how to access relevant support systems, such as grief counselling and funeral planning services.
Infection Control and Health and Safety
Health and safety, particularly infection control, is essential:
- Follow Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs).
- Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling the deceased.
- Ensure thorough cleaning of the area where the deceased was cared for.
Multi-disciplinary Approach
Care after death often involves various professionals:
- Nurses and doctors: Provide immediate care and certify the death.
- Social workers: Support the family emotionally and practically.
- Funeral directors: Handle the body’s transportation and preparation for the funeral.
- Chaplains or faith leaders: Offer spiritual support tailored to the deceased’s and family’s beliefs.
Cultural Sensitivity
Respecting cultural and religious practices is vital:
- Different cultures have varied practices and beliefs around death and dying.
- Consult with family members to understand if there are specific rituals to be observed.
- Provide the necessary arrangements to accommodate these practices wherever possible.
Ongoing Training
Continuous professional development is essential:
- Regularly update training on palliative care and care after death.
- Stay compliant with new legislation and updated best practices.
- Attend workshops or courses provided by healthcare institutions.
Summary
Understanding and adhering to local and national policies for care after death in the UK ensures dignified treatment of the deceased and supports the bereaved. Following organisational protocols, legal requirements, and national guidelines forms the cornerstone of best practices in care after death. Providing compassionate support, respecting cultural practices, and continuous training are crucial in delivering quality care in this sensitive area. By keeping informed and educated, care workers can offer the best possible support during this challenging time.
Example answers for 2.6 define local and national policy and guidance for care after death
Example Answer 1
As a care worker, I understand the importance of adhering to both local and national policies and guidance for care after death. Locally, my workplace has a clear protocol that we follow, which includes immediately notifying a supervisor and the lead nurse. We also ensure the body is treated with dignity by closing the deceased person’s eyes, cleansing the body if necessary, and using a clean sheet to cover them. We document the death thoroughly in the patient’s records, and we inform the next of kin as soon as possible.
Example Answer 2
National guidelines, such as those outlined by Hospice UK in the ‘Care After Death: Guidance for Staff Responsible for Care After Death (2nd Edition)’, are designed to ensure respectful and dignified treatment of the deceased. These guidelines include verification and certification of death by qualified healthcare professionals and involve comprehensive documentation of all actions taken. We must also coordinate with the family for any cultural or personal requirements they might have, providing them with the necessary support and resources.
Example Answer 3
In my care facility, we follow specific local policies set by our local NHS trust regarding care after death. These policies ensure we register the death with local authorities within five days, as mandated by the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953. We also adhere to hygiene protocols, such as using gloves and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling the deceased, to prevent the spread of infections. Training on these procedures is regularly updated to ensure we are all compliant and knowledgeable.
Example Answer 4
Our national policies, governed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), include regulations that ensure the quality and safety of our care services. Regulation 20, known as the Duty of Candour, requires us to be transparent with families about the care their loved ones received and to apologise if any issues occurred. This level of honesty helps build trust and provides closure for grieving families. We also must follow Regulation 17 for good governance, which mandates accurate record-keeping and handling of patient data.
Example Answer 5
Care after death also involves legal considerations under Acts such as the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. When a death is sudden or unexplained, it is our duty to notify the coroner. This ensures that a post-mortem examination can be carried out to determine the cause of death if necessary. Additionally, we follow the Human Tissue Act 2004 for any organ donation processes, ensuring we have the appropriate consent from the deceased or their family. Understanding these legislations helps us comply with the law and deliver proper care.
Example Answer 6
Cultural sensitivity is a significant part of handling care after death. Different cultures have various rituals and practices that need to be respected. It is my responsibility to consult with the deceased’s family to understand if there are any specific cultural or religious practices that need observing. This might involve particular customs for handling the body or specific funeral arrangements. By accommodating these needs, we show respect and compassion towards the deceased and their family, ensuring their values and traditions are honoured.
