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End-of-Life Care Crisis: Charities Demand Funding
26 Oct
Summary
- Charities request a £200 million annual fund for end-of-life care.
- Nearly one-third of people die without any end-of-life support.
- Hospice funding covers only 40% of adult hospice care costs.
Charities on the frontlines of end-of-life care are advocating for a substantial 'transformation fund' to address critical support gaps for families. Organisations including Marie Curie, Sue Ryder, and Hospice UK are calling on the government to allocate £200 million annually in the upcoming Budget.
This funding is crucial as research reveals nearly one-third of individuals currently die without any form of end-of-life care. This situation is projected to worsen by 24% by 2050 due to an aging population. Palliative care services are described as a fragmented 'patchwork' across the country.
Significant disparities exist in healthcare spending, with 56% allocated to emergency hospital care for those in their final year of life, compared to only 11% for primary and community support. The government has expressed ambitions to reduce unplanned hospital stays, but these goals require adequate funding for local health commissioners.
Hospice UK separately seeks an immediate £112.5 million investment to bolster the sector, noting that government funding covers only an average of 40% of adult hospice care costs. Many hospices are operating at a deficit, leading to potential cuts in frontline services. Charitable fundraising alone is insufficient to meet the growing demand for specialized palliative care.
