NCPC applauds the launch of the End of Life Care Strategy

NCPC applauds the launch of this first comprehensive strategy and as the charitable umbrella body for palliative care will lead on improving public awareness in death, dying and bereavement.

NCPC welcomes the new End of Life Care Strategy published today by the Department of Health. Professor Mayur Lakhani, GP and the Chair of NCPC said:

“I am well aware, as a practising GP that despite recent improvements, there is much more that needs to be done. For patients who are at the end of their lives it is essential to plan for a ‘good death’. But there is wide variation in access to timely services. This is an important issue that has not received sufficient attention to date. Strong action is needed to improve standards and services. I would urge all PCTS to ensure comprehensive and rigorous plans for implementing the EOLC strategy.”

Professor Lakhani added: ‘We also want to ensure that new investment of£286 million is spent to improve the range of community health and social care services that people need. This means many more people will benefit from improved and co-ordinated local services in their homes, care homes, hospices and hospitals.”

NCPC has also been tasked with leading a coalition to improve public awareness of death and dying. Around 500,000 people die in England every year and the public are generally reluctant to talk about death and dying yet many people when asked in surveys say that they would prefer to die at home with their loved ones if this is possible.

NCPC will lead a broad based national coalition to promote greater public discussion and awareness of issues involved with death and dying. The government is committed to supporting this coalition and will be funding this programme of work as part of the strategy. This will require concerted action and time to bring about a change in public opinion and behaviour.

To read the press release in full, please click on the link below:

NCPC Press Release - End of Life Care Strategy (38KB)

To read the press release by the Department of Health announcing the Strategy, please click on the link below to the DH website.

Department of Health Press Release - End of Life Care Strategy (external link)

Eve Richardson on Woman's Hour

NCPC Chief Executive Eve Richardson was a guest on BBC Radio 4's Woman Hour last week to talk about the need for resources to ensure high quality care and a good death. To listen to the recording, please click on the link below to the BBC website.

Woman's Hour - BBC Radio 4 (external link)