Milestones - End of Life Care in Acute Hospitals

Milestones is a 17-minute film focussed on care in the last days of life in an acute hospital setting. A suite of educational materials have been created to support the film, including slide sets, handouts, notes for facilitators and evaluation tools. These can be used to deliver end of life care education for acute hospitals, and include specific modules on the following aspects of care:

• Recognition of deterioration
• Effective communication, including DNACPR decision-making and discussion
• Making an individualised plan of care
• Physical care at the end of life


The Milestones film and educational materials have been developed by the UCLPartners End of Life Care team with funding from Health Education England working across North Central and East London (HEE NCEL).

[sharon]

A dear friend was seemingly unconscious. She cried when I came to see her. She cried when I said it's her time to rest. She cried when her son came. I kept talking and rubbing her hand. She was gone just hours later. I believe 100% she could hear us until the end.

[irenemesecke]

This video made me cry, 8 years ago my husband died with lung cancer, we brought him home, he wanted to die at home, with his three daughters around him. He was trying to hold on for me and his girls, he was getting weaker and weaker. The hardest decision I had ever made was to give him the permission to die. I promised him that I would take care of his daughters and grandchildren. Each daughter spent a few hours with him talking to him about the fun they had. My youngest stayed with him and he waited till she was asleep and then he passed.

[jkth]

I'm so proud of my daughter who is a palliative care doctor in a hospice, I know in my heart that she helps people like this after seeing her grandmother die in a local hospital where she was treated appallingly, I think it shaped her career path.

[ryansenft]

One of my sisters is a hospice nurse. We also lost our stepdad to Cancer in 2017. Knowing my sister, I think she would really strive to listen to the patient and the family. Nurses are crucial members of the care team.

[cpmffeilberg]

Thank God mom had a living will. Not that she used it when it came down to resuscitation. She didn't want to be kept alive on machines but when push came to shove she chose to use the machines at first, but when she fought as long as she was able she indicated to just keep her comfortable. She went to palliative care where she died peacefully 2 days later, on January 15th 2019. RIP mom.

[Laurie_Tinsley]

My husband and I will be going through this soon. My husband was diagnosed with Head and neck cancer 8 years ago. He has fought it twice and went into remission. It has come back a third time and the doctors say there is little they can do. He is on immunotherapy to slow down the progression, but he is now in a lot of pain and doesnt have the energy he used to have. Im not sure how much longer he has, months, maybe a year? Only God knows. Thank you for the video....it makes me feel better that they can make him comfortable and keep him from suffering in his last days.

[ChefWife]

Just went through this exact same scenario with my dad....end stage lung cancer, COPD, kidney failure, ... 2 weeks after losing my sister, and my mother in August.... my brother passed in 1990.... such a difficult time....but I agree...being open and honest is the best for everyone 😢

[charlotteehrhart]

Beautifully presented. Thank you for sharing this.

[applejellypucci]

Everyone should have a care team that is so straight forward. They explained the process and what to expect very well.

[billiembadjie]

The doctors should have relieved his pain before the serious discussion. Wrong to let the patient be in so much pain. I found the doctor cold and casual, whereas the nurse Stephen showed compassion to both patient and daughter. Sad scene, the end of life can be for some.

[couponsanddailybargains]

I just recently lost a good friend of mine to cancer. It was so hard to see my friend go. I never really understood why my friend was not recovering. Watching this video gaved me a better understanding of what was going on. Thanks.

[rebasimpson]

I really like this doctor with his way with the patient and daughter. it's important they know everything.

[patriciasheets]

I feel so bad for his daughter, he must have been a very good daddy

[traceymanzano]

I would rather total honesty, than magical thinking! Also, please dont ask me to fight anything, just to stay here for you! If Im dying and in pain, please administer as much painkillers that will keep me comfortable until my death.

[drk]

My dad is going through this and this is heartbreaking to watch . It’s very realistic . the doctors words are very similar to my dad was told

[htdlifesavagefam]

I felt the same exact way the daughter felt . Dont anyone here know my mom or have a clue! Er doc says well mrs bailey you're cancers back your dying. No one told us till then . I'll never forget.

[velyzta]

This what doctor all around the world should inform to the patient...

[lindaravenhill]

Thank you for this video. It is so necessary. I hope it encourages more people to have these conversations.

[crystaljohnson]

This is the same thing that happen to me with my dad.but the doctor did not give my dad nothing. I miss him. R.i.P dad

[mimomeep]

Crying. Well-made film. Thanks for the work put into this. Learned a lot of different perspectives.