Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity, were one of the first organisations to hand in a petition to the new government today (Thursday 11 July).
Quick off the mark, the charity visited 10 Downing Street this afternoon to hand in its petition, signed by over 50,000 people, calling for urgent action to fix end of life care.
In the petition Marie Curie says end of life care has been overlooked with the shortfall in support now at a critical level.
While Kier Starmer and his new cabinet may still be unpacking boxes, Marie Curie Chief Executive Matthew Reed has a firm message for the new PM and his government:
"Our message to the new government is clear; palliative and end of life care is in crisis and requires urgent action.
"We must see an end to the unfair and awful postcode lottery in end of life care. And with demand rising fast, a more sustainable funding model is desperately needed.
"Every dying person, no matter who they are or where they live, should have 24/7 access to the care and support that's right for them. Dying people simply cannot wait."
While 9 in 10 people dying in the UK today need palliative care1, estimates suggest in England up to 25% of those who need palliative care are not receiving it2. This means people are dying frightened, in poverty, alone, and in avoidable pain. Stressed and exhausted families often do not know where to turn to for help.
Charitable hospices are major providers of specialist palliative and end of life care services, and only around 30% of their income comes from government and the NHS. This leaves the sector vulnerable, relying heavily on fundraising from generous individuals, groups and corporate partnerships.
Matthew Reed adds: "The NHS once promised to provide healthcare 'from cradle to grave' and comparisons are often drawn between maternity care and end of life care. Imagine the outrage if families had to hold cake sales and run marathons simply to keep their local maternity unit open, yet that is the case for end of life care."
There is clear evidence that good quality palliative and end of life care in the community not only helps patients and families but also reduces unplanned hospital admissions and the number of days patients spend in hospital.
A&E visits and hospital stays are distressing for patients and their families and create significant pressures on NHS budgets.
69% (371,594) of all people who died in 2022, spent time in hospital during the six months before they died, staying for a total of 8.4 million days in hospital3. Marie Curie estimates the total cost of these admissions to be more than £2.9bn each year4.
Making sure that people at the end of life get the care and support they need close to home will reduce wider pressures on our health system and would help the new government to deliver its broader ambition to create an NHS fit for the future.
Notes to editor
Notes to editor:
1 How many people need palliative care – updated estimates of palliative care need across the UK, 2017-2021. July 2023. www.mariecurie.org.uk/policy/publications
2 ONS (2018), 2016-based National Population projections, 2016-2041 projections and based on the Palliative Care Funding Review, July 2011. English data
3 OHID (2022), PEOLC patterns of care factsheet 2022 https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/documents/peolc\_patterns\_of\_care\_factsheet\_2022.html
4 PSSRU (2022), Using the unit cost of health and social care manual 2022 - https://www.pssru.ac.uk/pub/uc/uc2022/Unit\_Costs\_of\_Health\_and\_Social\_Care\_2022.pdf.
For further information please contact the Marie Curie Press Office: media@mariecurie.org.uk / 0845 073 8699.
Please note, Marie Curie is not a cancer charity but the UK's leading 'end of life charity'. We care for people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer.
About Marie Curie
Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.
The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we're with you to the end.
If you're living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie
Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk
Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk
Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.