NHS Confederation Responds To End-Of-Life Care Strategy

Main Category: Palliative Care / Hospice Care
Also Included In: Alzheimer's / Dementia;  Cancer / Oncology;  Public Health
Article Date: 22 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Commenting on the end-of-life care strategy, Steve Barnett, acting chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents over 95% of NHS Organisations, said:

"End-of-life care in the NHS needs to be improved - patients want and deserve the right to choose to die in the comfort their own home, as part of a comprehensive and dignified package of end-of-life care. This strategy is an important and overdue step forward and reflects the views of NHS organisations about the care that should be available. Health leaders have argued for an increased focus on palliative care and more support for patients, their family and carers*. We welcome the commitment to investment in services."

"We believe improvement will be achieved by developing services in the community and giving NHS staff the necessary knowledge and skills to better care for the dying. Care plans will allow patients to really decide where and how they spend their final days, whether this involves receiving high quality care at home, in hospital or a hospice."

The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

http://www.nhsconfed.org