Palliative care sector unites to call on next government
To mark Dying Matters Awareness Week, chief executives of the UK’s palliative and end-of-life care charities have joined forces to urge party leaders to prioritise care in their election manifestos.
Ahead of the next General Election, potential prime ministers have pledged to help the current NHS crisis. However, experts from various charities, including Marie Curie and Sue Ryder, have claimed that something needs to be done about the quality of end-of-life care.
In an open letter to the government, which was signed by people from Marie Curie, Sue Ryder, Hospice UK, National Bereavement Alliance and Together for Short Lives, experts said: ‘If [the government] do nothing to fix the problems that dying people currently experience, hundreds of thousands will miss out on vital care and the trauma of seeing a loved one die without support will live in the minds of a generation.
‘People who are dying, and their loved ones, deserve better.’
Arguably, this demand couldn’t have come at a better time. According to recent statistics, up to 90% of adults who die would benefit from palliative and end-of-life care. And due to the UK’s growing ageing population, around 32,000 more people would benefit from healthcare at the end of the next parliament (2029), compared to the start (2024).
An array of chief executives from the charities involved with the open letter have expressed their views on the matter.
Toby Porter, CEO, Hospice UK:
‘The next few years are critical for end of life care. We know that many people do not get the palliative care they need at the end of their lives, and we know that our ageing population means demand for care will continue to grow over the next decades. Hospices are ready to meet this challenge, but they need a new funding model and support from the next government to ensure they can continue to provide their brilliant care for everyone who needs it, whenever they need it.
‘We need the next Prime Minister to recognise the importance of palliative care and heed the recommendations of the joint manifesto, so everyone affected by dying, death and bereavement gets the best possible care and support.’
Andy Fletcher, chief executive, Together for Short Lives:
‘It is unacceptable that families of seriously ill children are not getting the palliative and end of life care they need because of where they live. This is care that is clearly set out in standards, guidance and even the law. Time is short for seriously ill children and their families. It is vital that the next government oversees a step change so that children and families can finally access the high quality, sustainable palliative care they need.’
The letter also highlights the charities’ joint manifesto, which is calling for radical change to palliative and end of life care, and improved support for carers and bereaved people.
Heidi Travis, chief executive, Sue Ryder:
‘It is clear no more time can be wasted; the government and healthcare system must act now.
‘Our research shows that the demand for specialist palliative care services is expected to rise by 55% over the next decade. The constant uncertainty of funding will continue to be a threat to service provision until a sustainable solution is reached.
‘Everyone should have a good death, and access to palliative and end-of-life care is integral to this. The inconsistent provision across the UK continues to make this time more difficult for people at the end of life, when their focus should be spending time with people they love and making memories.’
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