Government announces new review into palliative care funding
14:23 - 22/07/2010
Government announces new review into ...
A government review into the funding of palliative care is now underway after it was announced by the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, last month.
The intention of the review is to examine how the government can ensure that money which has been set aside for the care of people approaching the end of their life is put to the right purpose. The hope is that this will then give patients more choice in relation to their end of life care.
The review, which is chaired by the Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care, Tom Hughes-Hallett, will make recommendations for a system to fund care provided by the NHS, a hospice or any other suitable service provider. The system should encourage more community-based care so that patients do not necessarily have to leave their homes, and it should be transparent to all organisations who are involved in palliative care.
Current statistics show that just fewer than 80% of deaths occur in hospital, care homes or hospices while surveys reveal that most people – around 65% - would prefer to be able to die at home. However, since the End of Life Care Strategy was published there has been a steady increase in the number of deaths at home or in care homes and a reduction in the number of deaths in hospital.
Funds have already been made available to improve the care environment provided in hospices and to increase support for patients, their families and carers. The review will encompass both adults’ and childrens’ services and any recommendations will be considered in the context of the Spending Review. The government has allocated a year for the project, with a report expected by summer 2011.
Andrew Lansley explained: “Having a terminal illness is a very distressing time for individuals and their families. People should be able to choose where they are cared for - most would choose to be cared for at home, surrounded by their friends and family – and be certain that the care they receive will be of the highest quality.
“This review will look at how we better deploy the money we spend on palliative care – so those in need are better supported. We intend that whatever care patients choose will meet their needs and wishes.”
First Response offers a Palliative Care Training course which is 2-3 hours in duration and meets the Skills for Care Common Induction Standards knowledge set. It is designed to help carers identify and understand the key elements of palliative care.
Head of Quality and Curriculum, Charlotte Potter, says: “Palliative care is a very important issue and much progress has been made since the publication of the End of Life Care Strategy, but it’s great that the government is devoting further resource to ensuring that what is an extremely difficult and distressing time for people is made as easy as possible.
“Our Palliative Care Training course provides a high level of awareness and can serve as an in-depth induction for new starters or a comprehensive refresher for more experienced workers. It covers elements such as dignity, comfort and empathy and also discusses the effects of bereavement on the carers themselves.”
For more information, please call us today.
The intention of the review is to examine how the government can ensure that money which has been set aside for the care of people approaching the end of their life is put to the right purpose. The hope is that this will then give patients more choice in relation to their end of life care.
The review, which is chaired by the Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care, Tom Hughes-Hallett, will make recommendations for a system to fund care provided by the NHS, a hospice or any other suitable service provider. The system should encourage more community-based care so that patients do not necessarily have to leave their homes, and it should be transparent to all organisations who are involved in palliative care.
Current statistics show that just fewer than 80% of deaths occur in hospital, care homes or hospices while surveys reveal that most people – around 65% - would prefer to be able to die at home. However, since the End of Life Care Strategy was published there has been a steady increase in the number of deaths at home or in care homes and a reduction in the number of deaths in hospital.
Funds have already been made available to improve the care environment provided in hospices and to increase support for patients, their families and carers. The review will encompass both adults’ and childrens’ services and any recommendations will be considered in the context of the Spending Review. The government has allocated a year for the project, with a report expected by summer 2011.
Andrew Lansley explained: “Having a terminal illness is a very distressing time for individuals and their families. People should be able to choose where they are cared for - most would choose to be cared for at home, surrounded by their friends and family – and be certain that the care they receive will be of the highest quality.
“This review will look at how we better deploy the money we spend on palliative care – so those in need are better supported. We intend that whatever care patients choose will meet their needs and wishes.”
First Response offers a Palliative Care Training course which is 2-3 hours in duration and meets the Skills for Care Common Induction Standards knowledge set. It is designed to help carers identify and understand the key elements of palliative care.
Head of Quality and Curriculum, Charlotte Potter, says: “Palliative care is a very important issue and much progress has been made since the publication of the End of Life Care Strategy, but it’s great that the government is devoting further resource to ensuring that what is an extremely difficult and distressing time for people is made as easy as possible.
“Our Palliative Care Training course provides a high level of awareness and can serve as an in-depth induction for new starters or a comprehensive refresher for more experienced workers. It covers elements such as dignity, comfort and empathy and also discusses the effects of bereavement on the carers themselves.”
For more information, please call us today.
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