The government has announced they will be conducting a review designed to provide choice and quality of care to individuals approaching death. The review will focus on removing barriers currently in place which prevent individuals from being looked after and passing away in their desired location. More than 60% of individuals favour dying at home, but even so the majority of people pass away in hospitals.
Claire Henry, chief executive of the National Council for Palliative Care, will head the review – which is expect to report no later than February 2015.
Regarding her position, Ms Henry stated “I am delighted to have been asked to chair a review into such an important issue. We only have one chance to get it right for people who are dying, but despite some excellent practice many people are not currently getting the care and support that is right for them.”
Mike Hobday, Macmillan Cancer Support’s director of policy and research, supports the review, stating that “The review is a fantastic opportunity to identify what needs to happen to ensure that all people have the right support in place to allow them to have the death that they want. Improving access to 24/7 community nursing and providing free social care support for people who want to die at home are both crucial to making this happen.”
