JOIN USAccording to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the UK leads the world for care of people in the final weeks of their life. The UK topped the table when the EIU last carried out this exercise in 2010. But the number of countries included has been doubled to 80 in this latest survey, commissioned by the Lien Foundation of Singapore. So for the UK to again lead the pack, including all other wealthy nations, is significant.
In essence, the UK scores so highly for the care of patients nearing the end of their life because the National Health Service (NHS) is such a well-integrated service. Health professionals, ranging from hospital doctors to GPs and community nurses, generally work together effectively to ensure patients receive the end of life care they might expect. This includes pain management through palliative care, which is not the case in many healthcare systems.
The report praises the UK for having a comprehensive strategy with the NHS working alongside the hospice movement and charities such as Marie Curie and Macmillan. Ensuring that people get to live out their final days in a place of their choice is an area where there has been progress in recent years.
Future demand, the report says, is likely to be higher as people live longer and the burden of cancer, dementia and diabetes increases. While noting the report’s findings are “very encouraging”, the Health Minister Ben Gummer said the Government was determined to go even further to ensure patients and families were involved in decisions about care.