An end-of-life care process used by the NHS is to be scrapped after a review led by Baroness Julia Neuberger.

The peer, who is senior rabbi at West London Synagogue, recommended that the Liverpool Care Pathway be phased out over the next 12 months and replaced by a personalised end of life care plan.

Baroness Neuberger said: “Evidence given to the review has revealed too many serious cases of unacceptable care where the LCP has been incorrectly implemented. Examples include leaving patients without adequate nutrition, hydration and inappropriately sedated.”

The medical ethics expert at the Board of Deputies, Professor David Katz, praised Baroness Neuberger for the balance achieved in the report and emphasised the need for healthcare professionals to be trained in dealing with the needs of different groups, including Jews.

He also said that denying fluids to dying patients was of particular concern: “The only acceptable reason for discontinuing fluids is where there is evidence that it is causing harm and suffering.

“This needs to be made very explicit, and may be an example where our traditions are helpful not only to Jews, but also to others.”