Most of the cash will go to the Primary Care Trusts to improve end of life services in local communities to allow more people to decide for themselves where they would like to die.  A recent government survey indicated that around 70% of people would be happier spending their final days at home with their loved ones, yet fewer than one in seven think they would get the proper care, and many are concerned about pain.

Approximately half a million people in England die each year and the care provided to these people, their families and carers forms a significant proportion of the workload for many health, social care, and voluntary sector staff.  However too often care for this vulnerable and important group is not designed around the wishes and preferences expressed by the patient.

In response to these challenges the Government has put into place a number of initiatives to improve care for people approaching the end of life.

www.endoflifecareforadults.nhs.uk

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicy
AndGuidance/DH_086277