Press release: NHS Confederation responds to DH announcements on palliative care

28 Jul 2006

Commenting on today's announcement by Health Minister, Rosie Winterton, on the development of a strategy to improve end of life care, Jo Webber, Deputy Policy Director at the NHS Confederation, said:

"The final request of most terminally ill patients is to die in the comfort of their own home - but all too often their dying wish cannot be granted. 

"According to figures from a joint NHS Confederation and National Council for Palliative Care briefing published at the end of 2005, 56 per cent of terminally ill patients would prefer to die at home but only 20 per cent currently do so. While only 11% of people want to die in hospital, that's where 56 per cent spend their final hours. 

"We welcome the development of a strategy that aims to improve end of life care. Everyone nearing the end of their life should be able to exercise their right to choose how, and by whom, they are treated and where they die. We need to deliver services that enable their requests to be achieved.

"The Confederation hopes that the National Strategy gives clear guidance as to how the NHS should prioritise the improvement and development of palliative care services so it is able to ensure patients are cared for and die in a place they are comfortable with, whether that be at home, in a hospice or another setting."

ENDS

 

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 90 per cent of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

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