Marie Curie Response: “End of life care heading for a ‘meltdown’ without funding boost, charity warns”
Comment published
Scott Sinclair, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, England at Marie Curie, said:
“One in four people already miss out on the end of life care they need, and the number needing that care is set to grow in the future. This includes people dying from illnesses other than cancer.
“Everyone deserves to have the highest quality of care wherever they are when they die and regardless of their diagnosis. Our concern is that without additional funding for community palliative care, the rising demand will lead to an increased number of people dying in hospitals, where resources are already stretched and people are less likely to experience dignity and respect at the end of life. We need to shift care for people with a terminal illness out of hospital and ease the pressure on NHS hospitals. It is possible for people to die at home in comfort and with dignity when the right support is in place.
“Time is ticking. The Government needs to commit to investing in palliative care services now to address the unacceptable variation in care and to cope with the unprecedented demand in the future.”
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Notes to editor
Please note – we are now called ‘Marie Curie’ (not Marie Curie Cancer Care)
Marie Curie – care and support through terminal illness
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.
Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.
For more information visit www.mariecurie.org.uk
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