Francis Report must lead to improved care for people nearing the end of their lives

Marie Curie Cancer Care welcomes the publication today of the final report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry. We have provided care and support to people who are terminally ill and their families for more than sixty years and we know the immense distress caused to the family and loved ones after someone dies in poor conditions and without the care that they need. The impact can last for years.

What the Francis Report shows is that the current system of delivering health and social care does not adequately safeguard against failures of care for frail people and those who are dying and nearing the end of their lives. This must be changed in order to ensure that a situation like Mid Staffordshire never happens again. There are lessons for all providers in this important inquiry.

Commenting on the publication of the final report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry Imelda Redmond CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, at Marie Curie Cancer Care said:

“Providing good quality care to patients and their families is everyone’s responsibility. The Francis report represents a landmark moment for the future of this country’s health and social care, highlighting that care is not about money and targets but about people and experiences.

“That people have suffered from inadequate care is not acceptable. Marie Curie agrees that the only way to move forward is to create a system based on patient-centred care, and that this must be done through partnership with everyone involved in the health and social care system, particularly patients and their families. It is the people experiencing the service and their families who are best placed to comment on its quality and providers need to wake up to the need for the regulatory landscape to change to reflect this.

“This is not just about the NHS – it’s about all health and social care services. As a provider of services for the NHS, Marie Curie will look closely at the recommendations and will respond. Marie Curie will continue to work with the NHS and partners to meet the needs of patients and families at their most vulnerable times.”

-ENDS-