When end of life care begins depends on your needs.
The General Medical Council considers that patients are approaching the end of life when they are likely to die within the next 12 months. This includes patients who are expected to die within the next few hours or days, and those with advanced incurable conditions. It can also include people who have:
- general frailty and co-existing conditions that mean they are likely to die within 12 months
- existing conditions, if they are at risk of dying from a sudden crisis in their condition
- life-threatening acute conditions caused by sudden catastrophic events, such as an accident or a stroke
End of life care may last a few days, or for months or years. End of life care begins when you need it, and will continue for as long as you need it.
For more information see the NHS Choices website.
