Living and Dying Well: Building on Progress

8 Conclusion

78 The achievements outlined in this document demonstrate the very substantial progress which has been made towards the equitable provision of high quality palliative and end of life care across Scotland for everyone, whenever and wherever they need it. Moreover, that progress has been made in a manner which is sustainable for the future. Although there is still some way to go before the full aims of Living and Dying Well¹ reach fruition, the Scottish Government, NHS Boards, key stakeholders and individual practitioners across all sectors remain committed to the process which has begun. In the short term, governance and operational arrangements to ensure implementation of all of the actions in Living and Dying Well¹ and Living and Dying Well: Building on Progress will continue through the Scottish Government, the National Advisory Group and the Executive Leads. In the longer term, clinical leadership and quality assurance will continue to develop within the NHSQIS integrated cycle of improvement in partnership with, NES and the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care.

79 Sustainability is also ensured by the fact that Living and Dying Well¹ continues to interface with a wide range of national policies and strategies across health and social care. At the same time, the work of the working groups and the additional development areas outlined above demonstrate repeatedly that palliative care is an integral part of healthcare in all settings and that, in the words of one consultation respondee, palliative care is 'everyone's business'. Most importantly, we have seen the palliative care approach of mutual respect, sensitive communication and holistic care embedded firmly throughout NHSScotland in the Healthcare Quality Strategy⁴ and its Quality Ambition of mutually beneficial partnerships between patients, their families and those delivering healthcare services, based on respect for individual needs and values, and demonstrating compassion, continuity, clear communication and shared decision-making. With these solid achievements in the implementation of Living and Dying Well¹ behind us, and as we continue to build on the progress to which so many have contributed, Scotland can be justly proud of an integrated, person-centred, equitable and needs based provision of high quality palliative and end of life care which leads the world.