European journal of cancer care
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The emergence of the speciality of palliative medicine in the UK has been generally welcomed and can be seen as a continuation of the attempts to improve the care of dying people begun by the modern hospice movement. However, not everyone has welcomed the new speciality unreservedly. ⋯ After a brief discussion of the 'medicalization' of death and an overview of the hospital care of dying people, the paper identifies five concerns about the development of the speciality of palliative medicine in Britain. These are: the lack of clarity about its remit; a potential shift of focus away from terminal care; the inappropriate use of medical technology; the role of other health workers; the consequences for hospice care.
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This paper is intended to promote awareness among the European cancer nursing community of recent developments in the European Union's views on health. The paper outlines the background leading to the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty). The main features of the Treaty are identified and Article 129 of the Treaty on the provisions for public health and prevention of disease is discussed. The implications of the Treaty for health care in general and cancer care in particular are addressed.