Guidance on supportive and palliative care is being developed for use in the NHS in England and Wales. It is important to appreciate that the guidance is being produced in two parts. Part A includes:

• Introduction and background
  
• Co-ordination of care
  
• Face-to-face communication
  
• Information
  
• Psychological support services
  
• General palliative care services
  
• Specialist palliative care services

And Part B will include:

• Social support services
  
• Rehabilitation services
  
• Complementary therapy services
  
• Spiritual support services
  
• Carer and bereavement support services

The split between Parts A and B is entirely practical; it does not imply any increased importance or status for those topics in Part A. Anticipated links between the topics in Part A and Part B have been identified. The two documents presented as part of the second round of consultation - provisional recommendations and the research evidence that supports these recommendations - relate only to Part A.

How to comment on the documents
The Institute is now inviting comments from the registered stakeholders for this guidance. Please see below to download both documents. Although individuals may comment on these documents, we advise you to contact the registered stakeholder organisation that most closely represents your interests and pass your comments to that organisation. The registered stakeholders for this guidance are listed on this website.

Comments made on these documents by registered stakeholders will be posted on the NICE website together with the name of the organisation that submitted the comments. Informative comments from individuals or non-registered stakeholders will be summarised and the summary will also be posted on the website.
Please do not include personal medical information about yourself or another person from which your or the person's identity could be ascertained.

Send your comments via email to: cancersupportive@nice.nhs.uk . Alternatively you can mark your comments 'Supportive & Palliative comments - 2nd consultation and send them to: Elaine Paton, Guidelines & Audit Coordinator, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, 11 Strand, London WC2N 5HR or fax them to the Institute on: 020 77669123.

Supportive and Palliative Care Guidance (for second consultation)
Supportive and Palliative Care Evidence Review (for second consultation)

The key dates for this guidance are:
Closing date for comments: 22 October 2002
Publication of guidance: Winter 2002 (Exact date TBC)