More people dying at home due to end-of-life care improvements

A new report has demonstrated the significant improvements in end-of-life care that have been achieved in England in the last few years.

Data from Public Health England's National End of Life Care Intelligence Network has revealed that the proportion of people dying at home or in care homes increased from 38 percent in 2008 to 44 percent in 2012.

It means that around 24,000 more people are living out their days outside of hospital now than was the case four years ago, reflecting the desires of many people to die at home.

However, the report also uncovered large variations in performance on this key measure between different regions, a problem that still needs to be addressed.

Professor Julia Verne, clinical lead at Public Health England's National End of Life Care Intelligence Network, said: "We cannot be complacent – the report highlights some aspects of patient experience which must improve, especially the care of the dying in hospital."

This comes after the government announced earlier this year that it will be scrapping the controversial Liverpool Care Pathway system of palliative care, paving the way for a significant overhaul of practices.