Marie Curie response to CQC review

A national review by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found that people from certain groups in society are experiencing poor quality care at the end of their lives because providers and commissioners do not always understand their needs. 

In response to the CQC’s national review,“A different ending: Addressing inequalities in end of life care”, the Chief Executive at Marie Curie, Dr Jane Collins, has said:

“Death comes to all of us, yet if you are over the age of 85, LGBT, or from a Black or minority ethnic community you are more likely to miss out on the high quality care you need towards the end of life. 

 “Sadly, today's CQC review has highlighted that such discrimination is very real and remains so until the very end.  This is not right or acceptable.

 “It also shows unequivocally that a third of local NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are not assessing end of life care needs in their area and must up their game.  Without assessing the needs of all local people, high quality care of the dying for all will remain an ambition. It must become the norm.

 “1 in 4 people in England miss out on the care and support they need at the end of life - many of whom will die with unmanaged symptoms, sometimes in considerable distress. A person’s  age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity should not be a barrier to getting the right care at the right time.  If nothing is done to address the inequalities that exist in end of life care, this situation will only get worse over the coming years as our population ages.”