Every Moment Counts - a narrative for person-centred coordinated care for people near the end of life

Every Moment Counts has been produced by National Voices and the National Council for Palliative Care in partnership with the national clinical director for end of life care at NHS England, Dr Bee Wee. It has been written from the point of view of people nearing the end of their life and sets out what good, integrated care looks like to them.

One of the challenges highlighted in the report is that individuals who work in end of life care are often generalists who may lack the training or confidence to engage in conversations about choice. The report shows that this is vital and urges brave conversations to take place.

Amongst the "I" statements outlined in the narrative are: "I have timely and honest conversations with those engaged in my care, support and treatment". Every Moment Counts also takes account of the NICE Quality Standard that focusses on the last 12 months of life.

Don Redding, Director of Policy, National Voices, says: "The last months and weeks of life are when health and care services spend most time and money on us. Yet we know there are many gaps in coordinating the multiple inputs that people are receiving. We hope this new vision will inspire professionals to take a more person centred approach."

Organisations who have helped develop Every Moment Counts include Carers Trust, Compassion in Dying, Hospice UK, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Sue Ryder, Together for Short Lives and Macmillan Cancer Support. Every Moment Counts is also supported by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services