Lord Darzi's NHS review: Our response
Sue Ryder has commented on Lord Darzi's Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England report.
In response to the report, James Sanderson, Chief Executive at Sue Ryder, said:
“The NHS must ‘reform or die’ according to the Prime Minister. To do this, the government must reform dying itself.
“Today’s report from Lord Darzi presents an alarming picture of the state of the NHS. But we are happy to see the review agrees with Sue Ryder in that supporting people living with life-limiting conditions and shifting their care from hospital to the community is essential.
“The hospice sector will need to be a key player in this. Its potential to support this reform is huge and that must be recognised in both the government’s NHS long-term plan and spending review.”
Far too many people die in hospital, despite the majority wanting to be at home at the end of life.
“Far too many people die in hospital, despite the majority wanting to be at home at the end of life. Currently, a third of all hospital bed days are occupied by people in their final year of life. At Sue Ryder, 80% of our care is already provided to people in their own homes, but with proper investment in palliative and end-of-life care we could support many more, granting them their last wish to be at home and helping to relieve pressure on the NHS.
“It's encouraging to see the importance placed on starting the conversation about how we die well, so people's dignity and preferences are respected. Alongside this, Darzi's recognition that health disparities impact people being able to die well is troubling. It is morally wrong that poorer communities have worse outcomes. A good death must be for all.”
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