Marie Curie responds to ONS data highlighting the rise in deaths at home in England and Wales

In response to The Office of National Statistics (ONS) data which highlights the rise in deaths at home in England and Wales Simon Jones, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, from the end of life charity, Marie Curie, said:

“A comprehensive investigation of the experience of those who are dying at home needs to be undertaken with immediate effect to ensure that dying people and their carers are receiving the support they need. A third of all deaths of leading causes are now occurring in private homes yet the resources care providers in the community receive has not been increased to match the demand. As such, the appropriate regulator in each nation should be required to undertake an annual report to understand the quality of care dying people are receiving at home.

“Although dying at home may be people’s choice and honouring end of life wishes is important, there must be the correct level of support and care in place to ensure people who die at home and their carers have the best possible experience. At present, we don’t know enough about the care people are getting behind closed doors. Sadly, many of the people who are dying at home are those whose voices are least heard – the elderly and their carers who may be suffering in silence.

“Ensuring that a person’s wishes are fulfilled at the end of life is vital and people need support to make this happen. We must ensure that everyone has the best experience of dying, death and bereavement otherwise there will be lasting consequences for the nation’s mental health.”