At DTHFT, a yellow Recognising Dying Form should be completed by a senior doctor who believes a patient may be in the last days of life, explaining the rationale for their decision and whom this has been discussed with (patient and/or family and professionals). The form should be completed and filed in the medical notes. Doctors may find the guidance notes on the reverse of the yellow form helpful.

Staff at DTHFT should order Recognising Dying form via Saffron (via ward clerks). If there are any concerns about obtaining stock or the use of this form please contact Dr Ruth England, Consultant in Palliative Medicine (ruth.england@nhs.net) or Karen Bussooa, End of Life Care Facilitator (karen.bussooa@nhs.net).

For more information about how to care for dying patients, look at the Recognising Dying Pocket Guide (brief summary) or the Handbook of Priorities for Care in the Last Days of Life (detailed information about how to recognise dying and develop an individualised care plan for the last days of life).

Nursing staff writing individualised end of life care plans may find ‘Prompts for writing individualised end of life care plans’ useful.

When a patient is believed to be in the last days of life a comfort pack can be offered to them and their loved ones. This contains a Carer’s diary (available to view in this website) and written information about what to expect when someone is dying (available on this website: When someone is dying Information leaflet for patients and carers).

If a patient who is believed to be in the last hours of their life wishes to be at home, please go to the ‘rapid discharge’ section of this website for practical advice.