People are to be given more choice over where they die as part of a package of measures to improve care for the dying.
People are to be given more choice over where they die as part of a package of measures to improve care for the dying.
Ministers are to outline the plans later along with a significant increase in funding in England's first End of Life Care strategy.
Ministers are to outline the plans later along with a significant increase in funding in England's first End of Life Care strategy.
One of the key steps will be a roll out of rapid response nursing teams to help those caring for people at home.
One of the key steps will be a roll out of rapid response nursing teams to help those caring for people at home.
Campaigners have long been calling for more focus on what they see as a neglected area of the NHS.
Campaigners have long been calling for more focus on what they see as a neglected area of the NHS.
About 500,000 people a year die in England mostly following a period of chronic illness such as heart disease, cancer or dementia.
About 500,000 people a year die in England mostly following a period of chronic illness such as heart disease, cancer or dementia.
Just one in five deaths happen at home despite two thirds of people saying they prefer to die at home.
Just one in five deaths happen at home despite two thirds of people saying they prefer to die at home.
Pain management
Pain management
By comparison, 58% of people die in hospital with many families complaining of a lack of support and pain management leaves them with no other alternative.
By comparison, 58% of people die in hospital with many families complaining of a lack of support and pain management leaves them with no other alternative.
The government's strategy is expected to set out how 24-hour on call nursing teams will rectify this by offering carers support in crises.
The government's strategy is expected to set out how 24-hour on call nursing teams will rectify this by offering carers support in crises.
It is being largely modelled on the Delivering Choice programme run by Marie Curie Cancer Care in six pilot areas.
It is being largely modelled on the Delivering Choice programme run by Marie Curie Cancer Care in six pilot areas.
The project has helped double the number of people dying at home by offering support especially in the final weeks and days of life.
The project has helped double the number of people dying at home by offering support especially in the final weeks and days of life.
But ministers are also hoping to promote a debate about the taboo of talking about death and planning how and where we would like to die.
But ministers are also hoping to promote a debate about the taboo of talking about death and planning how and where we would like to die.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson will say that how we care for the dying is the "hallmark" of how we care for all sick and vulnerable people.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson will say that how we care for the dying is the "hallmark" of how we care for all sick and vulnerable people.
It comes after criticisms from campaigners.
It comes after criticisms from campaigners.
A cross parliamentary group of MPs called Dying Well said there were serious inequalities in the provision of services in a report they produced in 2006.
A cross parliamentary group of MPs called Dying Well said there were serious inequalities in the provision of services in a report they produced in 2006.
Hospices have also been vocal about the lack of funding they say they receive.
Hospices have also been vocal about the lack of funding they say they receive.
Scotland is also working on its own plans for end of life care, although families often report it is easier to access services because of the system of free personal care - it is means-tested elsewhere in the UK.
Scotland is also working on its own plans for end of life care, although families often report it is easier to access services because of the system of free personal care - it is means-tested elsewhere in the UK.
Meanwhile, Wales has already produced guidance on the issue, but it is too early to tell if it has had a significant impact.
Meanwhile, Wales has already produced guidance on the issue, but it is too early to tell if it has had a significant impact.
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