PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
GENERAL MEDICAL COUNCIL GUIDANCE ON TREATMENT AND CARE TOWARDS THE END OF LIFE (12 July 2010)

That this House congratulates the General Medical Council (GMC) on developing new guidance, Treatment and care towards the end of life: good practice in decision-making; supports the guidance in stating that patients must be given the opportunity to discuss in advance what treatment and care they want towards the end of life; notes that the guidance supports doctors in providing the best quality of care and support at the end of life and helps them to make complex decisions in areas such as approaching conversations about organ and tissue donation, care after death and decisions which involve infants and very young babies; welcomes the emphasis in the guidance on the importance of good communication, dignity and respect for the individual and on recognising the role of family and carers and involving and supporting them in the decision-making process; further congratulates the GMC on its extensive consultation with doctors, patients and their families and carers and other healthcare professionals throughout the development of the guidance; and fully supports the GMC in developing a range of practical learning materials to ensure the guidance is understood and utilised by the medical profession and is useful to the wider healthcare community, patients and the public.

Sponsored by:
Stuart Andrew (Conservative)