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Rise in terminally ill patients dying at home Call for NHS to do more to help terminally ill people die at home
(about 1 hour later)
NHS urged to help end-of-life wishes as data for England show 5% rise in people dying at home and 11% drop in hospital deaths NICE call comes as data for England show 5% rise in people dying at home and 11% drop in hospital deaths
Denis Campbell Health policy editorDenis Campbell Health policy editor
Tue 6 Feb 2018 19.51 GMTTue 6 Feb 2018 19.51 GMT
Last modified on Tue 6 Feb 2018 19.52 GMT Last modified on Tue 6 Feb 2018 21.26 GMT
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The government’s health advisers are urging the NHS to do more to help terminally ill patients achieve their wish of dying at home.The government’s health advisers are urging the NHS to do more to help terminally ill patients achieve their wish of dying at home.
The call by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) comes after figures showed that fewer patients were dying in hospital and more were passing away at home or in a care home or hospice.The call by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) comes after figures showed that fewer patients were dying in hospital and more were passing away at home or in a care home or hospice.
Almost one in four of the 500,000 people a year who die in England do so at home. According to new data published by Public Health England (PHE) that is the highest figure for 12 years.Almost one in four of the 500,000 people a year who die in England do so at home. According to new data published by Public Health England (PHE) that is the highest figure for 12 years.
In 2016, accounting for all the deaths, 23.5% occurred in the person’s home, 5% more than did so in 2004, PHE said.In 2016, accounting for all the deaths, 23.5% occurred in the person’s home, 5% more than did so in 2004, PHE said.
The percentage of people dying in hospital fell by 11% over the same period, from 57.9% in 2004 to 46.9% in 2016, according to PHE’s latest end-of-life care profiles.The percentage of people dying in hospital fell by 11% over the same period, from 57.9% in 2004 to 46.9% in 2016, according to PHE’s latest end-of-life care profiles.
PHE said the trend showed that more people were choosing to die at home, in the company of relatives and friends.PHE said the trend showed that more people were choosing to die at home, in the company of relatives and friends.
Research showed that four in five people approaching death wanted to end their days in familiar surroundings, at home, yet many were denied the chance.Research showed that four in five people approaching death wanted to end their days in familiar surroundings, at home, yet many were denied the chance.
“Patients should have the opportunity, wherever possible, to die in the place of their choosing, with their symptoms effectively managed,” said Gillian Leng, NICE’s deputy chief executive, responding to the shift away from deaths in hospital.“Patients should have the opportunity, wherever possible, to die in the place of their choosing, with their symptoms effectively managed,” said Gillian Leng, NICE’s deputy chief executive, responding to the shift away from deaths in hospital.
The number of people dying in a residential or nursing home also rose by 5%, from 16.8% in 2004 to 21.8% in 2012. The other 5.7% of deaths in 2016 happened at a hospice.The number of people dying in a residential or nursing home also rose by 5%, from 16.8% in 2004 to 21.8% in 2012. The other 5.7% of deaths in 2016 happened at a hospice.
“It is really positive news that more people are now dying in their own home, as our research also shows that this is most people’s preference,” said Rick Wright, the policy manager for England, at Marie Curie, the charity that helps terminally ill people. “The key focus, for both health and social care, should be to ensure that no matter where people die they are able to access the care and support they need. Without the proper support in place people will continue to experience unnecessary pain and distress.” “It is really positive news that more people are now dying in their own home, as our research also shows that this is most people’s preference,” said Rick Wright, the policy manager for England, at Marie Curie, the charity that helps terminally ill people. “The key focus, for both health and social care, should be to ensure that, no matter where people die, they are able to access the care and support they need. Without the proper support in place people will continue to experience unnecessary pain and distress.”
PHE welcomed the PHE findings. “Passing away in a familiar environment, whether in their own home or a care home, helps give people some degree of control. It’s encouraging that more health professionals are supporting patients to fulfil this wish,” said Julia Verne, its head of clinical epidemiology. PHE welcomed the findings. “Passing away in a familiar environment, whether in their own home or a care home, helps give people some degree of control. It’s encouraging that more health professionals are supporting patients to fulfil this wish,” said Julia Verne, its head of clinical epidemiology.
Evidence shows that patients who have drawn up an advance care plan, setting out how they would like to end their days, are more likely to die in their chosen location, Verne added.Evidence shows that patients who have drawn up an advance care plan, setting out how they would like to end their days, are more likely to die in their chosen location, Verne added.
Age UK said patients should talk to loved ones about death and their GP, to record the person’s wishes in their summary care record, a document that shows all the care they have received from the NHS.Age UK said patients should talk to loved ones about death and their GP, to record the person’s wishes in their summary care record, a document that shows all the care they have received from the NHS.
“We know that beginning conversations with the people you love about death and dying can be incredibly hard. It can be a struggle to find the right time and the right words, and tempting to put it off to another day. However, once the subject is broached it may prove to be a less difficult discussion than you expect,” said Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK.“We know that beginning conversations with the people you love about death and dying can be incredibly hard. It can be a struggle to find the right time and the right words, and tempting to put it off to another day. However, once the subject is broached it may prove to be a less difficult discussion than you expect,” said Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice)The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice)
Death and dyingDeath and dying
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