This book addresses key questions about the need for palliative care, the current provision of services and the evidence for the effectivene ss of a range of alternative models of organisation in pallitaive care . A broad approach is taken to include the needs of both cancer patien ts and patients with other terminal diseases and the relationship betw een palliative care and other aspects of health care services. The boo k is based on a comprehensive and detailed review of the international scientific literature on evaluation of palliative care, providing an essential evidence base for policy...

This book examines the best ways to provide primary care at nights and weekends. There has been increasing demand from patients for out-of-hours care, and a great reorganisation of primary care services outside normal surgery hours. Different models of organisations are being tested, including primary care centres and nurses giving telephone advice. This book examines the tensions between public and professional expectations, and describes the range of options for providing services, with examples of good practice. It reviews the evidence about what works best, and the issues to consider in...