• Communicate effectively with the person, their carers, and other health professionals. Those who need to communicate particularly complex or distressing information should have enhanced skills, or be supported by someone who has those skills.
• Assess, on an ongoing basis, how the person wishes to be involved in making decisions about their own care, and what information they and their family need.
• Arrange appropriately trained interpreters for people who may otherwise find it difficult to communicate in their preferred language.
• The NHS End of Life Care Programme discusses advance care planning and documentation of the wishes of people with a life-limiting condition, including advance care plans, statements of wishes and preferences, and advance decisions. For more information, see www.endoflifecareforadults.nhs.uk/eolc.
• The Gold Standards Framework also includes advance care planning and has developed an advance statement of wishes template to support discussion and recording of a person's preference for place of care. For more information, see www.goldstandardsframework.nhs.uk.

In depth

• Care of people with advanced cancer, by health and social care professionals, should be based on locally agreed protocols and guidelines, delivered within the context of a managed system or pathway.
• When necessary, seek advice from, or refer to, specialist palliative care services.
• Discuss with the local specialist palliative care service (community, hospice, or hospital-based, as appropriate) to decide whether further involvement by the specialist team is required.
• Communicate with professionals within multidisciplinary teams and other service providers caring for the person. Aim to achieve continuity of care (e.g. nominate a 'key-worker' for individual people).
• The Gold Standards Framework in the community supports good communication and coordination of care, with a practice Supportive Care Register. For further information, see www.goldstandardsframework.nhs.uk.
• The Liverpool Care Pathway offers a framework for caring for people at the end of life. For further information, see www.mcpcil.org.uk/liverpool-care-pathway.

In depth