New report calls for more home-based end-of-life care

A new study from Marie Curie has raised concerns about the lack of choice dying patients are receiving over their end-of-life care.

According to the report, around 1.4 million people could die in hospital when their preference was to die at home over the course of the next parliament. This, in turn, will create needless pressure on hospital resources and emergency departments.

Currently, it is estimated that half of the 550,000 deaths in the UK each year occur in hospital, despite the fact that 85 percent of those who die in hospital would have preferred to end their lives at home.

Reasons for this shortfall include a lack of 24/7 community support, poor coordination between services, and a failure to provide fast and free social care support for people with terminal illnesses.

Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Marie Curie, said: "We are calling on all parties and the next government to set out how they will introduce fast and free social care for everyone nearing the end of their lives."