Liverpool Care Pathway Withdrawal — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: E — It was withdrawn from NHS use in 2014 after the Neuberger Review and replaced by individualised care planning based on NICE guidance.
The Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) was formally phased out in 2014 following the independent Neuberger Review, which found significant problems with its implementation despite its useful intentions. It was replaced by a framework emphasising individualised, person‑centred care as detailed in NICE guideline NG31 (‘Care of dying adults in the last days of life’) and the ‘Priorities for Care of the Dying Person’ approach. Option A is incorrect—LCP is no longer current. Option B is incorrect—hospices now use individualised plans, not the LCP. Option D is incorrect—the LCP had been widely adopted in NHS and hospice care before 2014. Option C is misleading—there is no rigid single protocol, but flexible, tailored care planning.
Reference: NICE NG31 Context (2015) & Review of Liverpool Care Pathway (Neuberger Review, 2013) – NICE/Government guidance; NHS.uk hospice care page (2026). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng31/chapter/context