Our response to RCP End of Life Care Audit

Responding to today’s publication of the End of Life Audit.

Usha Grieve, Director of Partnerships & Information, from Compassion in Dying said:

“It is extremely concerning that whilst some progress has been made the experience of many dying people remains so poor. Most worrying is that in many cases ‘choice at the end of life’ is an illusion.”

“As this report details far too many dying people, and their loved ones, are not spoken to honestly and clearly about the fact that they are dying. We talk about giving every dying person choices about how and when they can die, but in depriving them of that crucial information about their death they are being denied any truly meaningful choices over the end of their lives. It is no surprise therefore how few dying people appear to have had their concerns listened to.”

“It is also clear that when people have made plans and decisions about their treatment and care in advance it can make a real difference to them getting the care that is right for them. Sadly only 4% of people had made such plans prior to admission. It is now beyond doubt that NHS England must do more to support people to make plans for the end of their lives before they become seriously ill as this would help transform end-of-life care.”

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Compassion in Dying

Compassion in Dying is a national charity (no. 1120203) that aims to support people at the end of life to have what they consider to be a good death by providing information and support around their legal rights and choices. We are a leading provider of free Advance Decisions in the UK and we also conduct and review research around patient rights and choices in end-of-life care.

Compassion in Dying is the sister organisation of Dignity in Dying and was set up to help people exercise their rights and choices under the current law. The charity does not campaign for a change in the law on assisted dying.