Priority 25 from the Palliative and end of life care PSP

UNCERTAINTY:  Are outcomes (for example, symptom control and incidental prolonging of life) better for terminally ill patients the sooner palliative care is introduced and services are accessed?    (JLA PSP Priority 25)
Overall ranking 25
JLA question ID 0026/25
Evidence

Haun MW, Estel S, Rucker G, Friederich HC, Thomas M, Hartmann M. Early palliative care for improving quality of life and survival time in adults with advanced cancer (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2014, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD011129. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011129.

Health Research Classification System category  Generic
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples Can we not have a self referral system to run alongside health care professional referrals? signpost at diagnosis?  ~  Can we make it mandatory to provide a range of care choices for those at the end of their life in the same way that we mandate 2 week cancer waits and 18 week operation dates?  ~  Could contact and support from the hospice team begin at the beginning of a stage 4 diagnosis regardless of how long the end of life phase might be to build relationships and alay fears?
Submitted by Professionals x 5  ~  Bereaved Carers x 4  ~  Carers x 1     
Outcomes to be measured Health related quality of life, good death
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0026
PSP name Palliative and end of life care
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 83  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 21 November 2014