Marie Curie response to the Hospice UK and Together for Short lives survey

Marie Curie response to the Hospice UK and Together for Short lives survey

Dr Jane Collins, Chief Executive of Marie Curie, said:

“Charitable hospices play a key role in ensuring that people with a terminal illness can get the care and support they need in the community. As the leading charity for people with a terminal illness and a provider of hospice care, Marie Curie relies heavily on funding from the NHS alongside charitable donations and the support of volunteers to provide high quality care and support to people with a terminal illness and their families.

“Hospice UK’s findings are concerning. The health and social care system in England is already stretched, and failing people with a terminal illness and their families.  We know that around 92,000 people in England are missing out on palliative care each year, and 7 out of 10 carers say that people with a terminal illness don’t get all the care and support they need*.  

“Hospices and other community palliative care services must be well-funded if we are to meet both present and future demand for palliative care services. Without this funding, more people will miss out on the care and support they need, which could potentially lead to more people dying in hospital, exacerbating pressures on the NHS.”