Help dying people get home
Too many people die in hospital instead of being cared for at home. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Share your experienceWhat’s the issue?
Given the choice, many of us would choose to spend our last hours of life at home, surrounded by the people and the things that we love.
But every year, up to 10,000 people are dying in hospital because they can’t get the care they need at home or in the community.
This fast-track care is something they’re entitled to, and should mean they’re able to get home within 48 hours of their doctor making the call.
Why does this matter?
While it’s unavoidable for some people to be in hospital when they’re dying, for many others, it’s not. Those people should be able to die at home, if they wish to.
While families struggle to get their dying loved ones out of hospital, healthcare staff face a constant battle to free up ward beds so they can admit new patients.
Once people make the choice to die at home, this wish should be respected and fulfilled as soon as possible. It’s unfair that dying people and their families are burdened with the devastating struggle to get home at what should be a peaceful time.
The longer someone waits for fast-track care, the more likely it is their condition will deteriorate to the point that they cannot leave hospital, and then may die on a ward.
Beyond the closed curtain there was so much noise - with visitors coming and going; and staff going about their rounds. It wasn’t peaceful or serene. It wasn’t nice. Mum deserved a dignified end, it should have been more dignified and calm.
Jackie's story
What’s the solution?
The thing stopping someone from leaving hospital might be frustratingly simple.
It might be there’s no driver available to deliver the right equipment home in time. Or it could be that the necessary paperwork isn’t properly completed, because staff aren’t properly trained and supported.
Lack of suitable care home places and gaps in high-quality care in the community also lead to delays. Having high-quality and properly resourced community services is also absolutely essential.
What we plan to do about it
While some local NHS areas are aware of the issues, many are completely in the dark, because they don’t record or monitor what is going on. That has to change.
We’re campaigning to highlight the issues with local NHS leaders and central Government and drawing attention to the practical measures that need to be taken to improve fast track care.
How you can help
Was your loved one stuck in hospital at the end of their life, when they didn’t want or need to be there? If so, help the campaign by sharing your story.
Share your experienceWhat is Fast Track Continuing Healthcare?
NHS rules state that people who are dying in hospital should have care at home fast-tracked within 48 hours, if that is their wish.
This care, called Fast-Track Continuing Healthcare, is there to make sure people don’t spend any more of their final days and weeks in hospital than necessary.
However, while some people are able to get home within 48 hours, most wait much longer. Some wait up to nearly three weeks in hospital, while others miss out completely on this crucial care.