Imelda Redmonds: We need Scots studies into end-of-life care

Published on 05/07/2012 00:00

BEREAVED relatives across England have, for the first time, been surveyed to assess the quality of care received at the end of their loved ones’ lives.

The Office for National Statistics survey, commissioned by the Department of Health and released on Tuesday, highlighted that hospitals were reportedly letting people down at a crucial time and this poor care was leaving behind memories of loved ones being treated with little dignity and respect, and dying in pain.

While the survey should be lauded for providing bereaved relatives with a voice, it falls short by failing to provide any insight into the views of bereaved families in Scotland.

In order for Scotland to improve the quality of end-of-life care in line with patient and family wishes, it’s crucial that this survey is now extended north of the Border.

Families have told us, in large numbers, that their loved ones do not always get the care they need or deserve at the end of life.

However, until we are provided with the same robust analysis, we simply don’t know whether bereaved families in Scotland are suffering from the same problems and challenges facing their neighbours in England.

We know that good quality care can be provided at the end of life. The care received in hospices and at home was highly regarded by relatives.

On an individual basis, we only have one opportunity to get end-of-life care right. There is no reason why we can’t provide a dignified and respectful death – regardless of setting, location or diagnosis – to everyone.

It is now time to examine Scots’ views on the state of end-life-care in Scotland so that we can learn from these findings and make improvements.

We’ll be pushing for an assurance that the Scottish Government will commit itself to monitoring the views of bereaved carers and patients who are moving towards the end of life.

This should be undertaken on a rolling basis and at a scale that allows it to be used as a tool for health boards to be held to account for the quality of end-of-life care they commission in future.

• Imelda Redmond is director of policy and public affairs at the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.