Keywords
Citation
(2013), "UK - Association of Palliative medicine warns of end-of-life care shortage", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 26 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHCQA.06226daa.011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
UK - Association of Palliative medicine warns of end-of-life care shortage
Article Type: News and views From: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Volume 26, Issue 4
Keywords: Patient safety and end of life care, Improvement to patient experience in palliative care, Funding gaps between need and provision in palliative care
A shortage of specialist end-of-life care in England is putting patient safety at risk, a new report states.
Produced by end-of-life care doctors and nurses, the report highlights that people dying with complex conditions often need support from a range of multidisciplinary professionals. This could cut costs by keeping people out of hospital, as well as improving the patient experience.
The ageing population means that more and more patients are developing long-term, complex conditions. The report estimates there are between 160,000 and 170,000 people a year currently receiving specialist end-of-life care.
Dr David Brooks, vice-president of the Association of Palliative Medicine, told the BBC: “There is a shortfall in services that needs to be addressed. Palliative care has the ability to save the NHS money and improve the care of patients.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “People should receive the very best care possible, right up until the end of their lives. We have committed to developing a per-patient funding system for palliative care and our pilots are now under way, with plans to have the new system in place in 2015.
“In 2011, the independent Palliative Care Funding Review report identified a gap between need and provision of palliative care.
“We have already developed and started implementing an End of Life Care Strategy, which aims to raise awareness and standards of end of life care for all those who need it, whatever their condition and wherever they are being cared for.
“Commissioners need to be clear about what their local needs are, and commission the right services to meet them.
For more information: http://www.nationalhealthexecutive.com