ONS finds end of life care rated significantly lower in hospital

By The Press Association9th July 2015News EnglandEnd Of Life Care, Hospitals, News England, Older People, Research

People whose friend or relative died in a hospital have rated their end of life care “significantly lower” than those whose loved ones died in a hospice, care home or at home.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show seven out of 10 (69%) rated the care received in hospital as outstanding, excellent or good, with hospices receiving the top score of 83%, followed by care homes (82%) and at home (79%).

One aspect of care measured was how much staff treated the patient with dignity and respect, with hospitals again receiving the lowest rating. Just 53% of those asked said they “always” felt hospital nurses treated their loved one with dignity and respect, while the figure was 59% for hospital doctors.

This was in contrast to doctors in hospices (88%) and hospice nurses (85%).

Overall, one in 10 (10%) people rated the care their friend or relative received as poor.

One in every eight (13%) said they felt the patient did not have enough support to eat or receive nutrition while a third (33%) of those questioned said they felt the hospital services did not work well together with GP and other services outside the hospital.

The National Survey of Bereaved People collects information on the quality of care provided to a friend or relative in the last three months of life.

The figures, which relate to England, show lower ratings were given for care received in the most deprived areas of the country.

Claire Henry, chief executive of the National Council for Palliative Care, said it was “hugely concerning” that people in deprived areas appear to be getting the worst care.

“The Voices survey is the latest in a series of powerful reports to provide compelling evidence that despite some excellent care, many thousands of dying people appear to have been failed at a time when they were at their most vulnerable and when their need was greatest,” she added.

“The NHS was set up to care for people from cradle to grave, but it’s clear that end of life care isn’t being given priority everywhere – something which is simply unacceptable.

“That’s why there needs to be strong national and local leadership, improved training and support for health and care staff and an unwavering commitment to putting people who are dying first, and providing coordinated services which meet their needs and choices.”