Marie Curie response to the new report by Healthwatch England; Safely Home: What happens when people leave hospitals and care settings?

Simon Jones, Director of Policy & Public Affairs for Marie Curie, said:

“Healthwatch England’s report makes for alarming reading, but is sadly not surprising.  We know that many terminally ill people experience unnecessary readmissions to hospital in the last year of life, often the place they least want to be. 

“It is important to strike a balance between ensuring people are able to leave hospital quickly and have the right support once they are home, so they do not end up back in hospital where they may experience unmet need.

“Research by The Nuffield Trust showed that people who receive our Marie Curie Nursing Service in the community are less likely to use hospital services, much more likely to die at home and have a £500 reduction in total care costs compared to people in hospital. It is vital that people with a terminal illness and their carers have access to community services like these to prevent them from ending up in hospital.  This is not only better for people and their families, but for the NHS too.”