Responding to the Government’s announcement of investment for hospices in England Professor Philip Banfield, BMA council chair, said:
“As people reach the end of their lives, they deserve to be treated with care, compassion and dignity. Despite extraordinary end-of-life care services and incredibly hardworking staff around the country, we know that not everyone receives the care they need.
“The investment in hospices for buildings and infrastructure is long overdue and we hope it provides much-needed additional support for these vital organisations. However, the majority of the investment announced today does not cover day-to-day running costs, such as staffing and other essential outgoings needed to give round the clock care, which is so reliant on donations, rather than public funding.
“End-of-life care involves numerous parts of the health and care sectors in all four UK nations working together, in hospices but also in hospitals and in the community, in care homes and people’s homes – and these areas need resourcing too. We sometimes forget that the majority of people choose to reach the end of their lives at home or in a care home, where their care is often managed by GPs, district nurses and community palliative care teams, who are buckling under cost, workload and workforce pressures. If we are to ensure everyone in the UK receives the end-of-life care they should have a right to expect in a civilised society, there needs to be a holistic, four-nation approach and investment in the whole of the system that provides this most important care in people’s final hours.”
Notes to editors
The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.
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