End of life care still needs work, according to government report

A government report has found that whilst end of life care is improving, there is still a long way to go to achieve the desired levels of care.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: “We need to ensure that the care people receive at the end of life is compassionate, appropriate and gives people choices in where they die and how they are cared for. Identifying people approaching the end of life and planning properly with them for their care is an essential part of this.

“While there has been good progress made so far this year the variation in progress across the country means the NHS must redouble its efforts. That is why more work will be done to improve training, promote best practice and make sure good end of life care is embedded across the NHS.

“On the key issue of funding the Coalition was quick to commission work and I am looking forward to receiving Thomas Hughes Hallett’s recommendations.

“We have set out our commitment in the recent White Paper to support people’s preferences about their care. By introducing a choice offer I am determined to increase the pace of change and improvement to begin to make this a choice reality.”

Tell us what you think at opinion@nationalhealthexecutive.com