Quality of Death Index: UK End-Of-Life Care Second To None? (BBC News / EIU / NHS England / CQC / National Palliative and End of Life Care Partnership)

Summary

A comparative study of palliative care across 80 countries by the Economist Intelligence Unit has declared that end-of-life care in the UK can be ranked the best in the world. The UK was ranked first due to comprehensive national policies, integration of palliative care in the NHS, our strong hospice movement, and positive community engagement.

Wealthy countries were clustered at the top of the league. Australia and New Zealand were ranked second and third respectively. Income levels tend to be a strong indicator of the availability and quality of palliative care, although some examples of good practice in poorer countries are cited.

This international survey was commissioned by the Lien Foundation of Singapore.

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Reference

Triggle, N. (2015). UK end-of-life care ‘best in world’. London: BBC Health News, October 6^th 2015.

Further BBC News analysis:

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Reference

Pym, H. (2015). Quality of Death Index – something to celebrate? London: BBC Health News, October 6^th 2015.

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The 2015 Quality of Death Index: ranking palliative care across the world. A report by The Economist Intelligence Unit. London: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), September 22^nd 2015.

UK Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care

One challenge remains in the UK:

“How do we deliver consistently compassionate and effective support for dying people and their families in all settings?”

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Reference

Achieving shared ambitions for end of life care – Dr Ros Taylor. London: NHS England, October 7^th 2015.

One month ago, the “Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care” report defined the principles for achieving more consistent end of life care in UK hospitals, care homes and hospices.

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Reference

New ambitions for end of life care. London: Care Quality Commission, September 9^th 2015.

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Ambitions for palliative and end of life care: a national framework for local action 2015-2020. London: National Palliative and End of Life Care Partnership, September 9^th 2015.

Positive CQC Hospice Ratings

90% of England’s hospices inspected so far by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) have been rated as “good” or “outstanding”.

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Reference

Hospice inspections show most are ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. London: BBC Health News, October 10^th 2015.

This relates to:

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Most hospices are ‘Good’ or better, says CQC. London: Care Quality Commission, October 10^th 2015.

October 2018 Update: End-of-Life Care in Care Homes

The Care Quality Commission found that staff shortages and inadequate training may sometimes result in unacceptable end-of-life care for the elderly in care homes.

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Reference

Bloch-Budzier, S. (2018). Let down by ‘agonising’ end-of-life care. London: BBC Health News, October 24^th 2018.