Patients Association - Reaction to new End of Life report on needs of dying people.
23 May 2016 08:06 PM
Hospice UK has published a new report - A low priority? How local health and care plans overlook the needs of dying people.
Hospice UK has published a new report - A low priority? How local health and care plans overlook the needs of dying people. The report is based on the results of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request sent to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and health and wellbeing boards (HWBs) about whether or not end of life and palliative care was included in their needs assessments and local strategies.
The report found that:
- 1 in 3 (34%) do not consider the needs of dying people in their local populations.
- More than 1 in 4 (27%) do not have a strategy for addressing end of life care in their area.
- Over 7 in 10 (71%) do not have a strategy for children and young people living with lifeshortening conditions
Speaking about the report, Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association said:
“The Patients Association believes that end-of-life care should always be safe and dignified. For patients receiving palliative care, there is only one chance to get treatment right and give patients safe and compassionate end-of-life care. Even the smallest things that happen towards the end of a patient’s life can have a huge and lasting impact on patients and their families’ feelings about their care. For too long, decisions on end-of-life care have been taken without the full consultation of patients and their families.
“The Patients Association Helpline receives calls on a daily basis about poor quality care for people who are at the end of their lives. These frequently include lack of adequate pain relief, patients being put on ‘do not attempt resuscitation’ notices without consent or involvement from families, and often a lack of dignity for patients. Many of our callers even feel very guilty for not having done enough for their loved ones and some are left with a feeling of helplessness.”
Download the report here: https://www.hospiceuk.org/policy-advocacy/briefings-consultations
Notes to Editors:
The Hospice UK report explores how local statutory structures address the palliative and end of life care needs of adults and children within their planning and decision-making. It was based on results from a freedom of information request sent to the 152 health and wellbeing boards (HWBs) and 209 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England
The Patients Association is an independent national health and social care charity established over 52 years ago, which has a long history of campaigning to ensure that the voice of patients is heard within the UK Health and Social care system.
For further information please contact Deborah McDonald, Director of Operations & Marketing, on 020 8423 9111, or email deborah@patients-association.com or call 07779 004898. Visit our website at www.patients-association.org.uk