A campaign to raise awareness about the lack of 24-hour end of life services has been launched by the charity Sue Ryder.
A campaign to raise awareness about the lack of 24-hour end of life services has been launched by the charity Sue Ryder.
The campaign, 'Dying doesn't work 9 to 5' , highlights the national need for a comprehensive end of life support service. Research conducted by Sue Ryder revealed that only eight per cent of CCGs have a programme in place to deliver of 24-hour advice, support and coordinated care for those facing at the end of life, and their family members.
The charity said that an increase in the range of services commissioned for people at the end of life care would alleviate the pressures on other NHS services, such as district nursing and general practice.
Sue Ryder commissioned a survey to support the campaign, which found that the public is widely unaware of the shortfall in end of life services. It also found that 82 per cent of the respondents thought that end of life support and advice should be available at all hours.
It is has been suggested that without an expansion of these services, the shortfall in end of life care will be exacerbated as time passes. It is projected that the number of people dying each year will rise 17 per cent, from 500,000 to 586,000, by 2030.
Susan Hogston, chief nurse at Sue Ryder, said: 'Sue Ryder firmly believes that people who are dying, their carers and their families should be able to access the care they want, when they want – no matter where they live. Unfortunately, many areas of the country simply do not have the comprehensive services in place that they need and deserve and are suffering as a result.'
Sue Ryder is the national health and social care charity providing compassionate hospice and neurological care across the UK.