Patient experiences and views about palliative and end of life care
Download (PDF 1.12 MB)Summary of report content
In 2018, Healthwatch Herefordshire conducted a report on patients’ experiences and views regarding palliative and end of life care.
Fourteen individuals shared their experiences of palliative and end of life care and their personal views of what they would wish for at the end of their own lives. Six participated in focus groups, five responded to an online survey and three gave 1:1 feedback.
The report will form part of the evidence that will be submitted by and gathered from representatives of local services connected with end of life and palliative care.
The following settings were considered: Care at home, care homes, hospices and hospitals and many individuals related more than one experience. The stories gathered have been streamlined to form the overall recommendations of this report.
The report makes many detailed recommendations relating to patient involvement in decisions about their care, care planning, patient access to high quality care, access to the appropriate services at the right time, funding, joint working, physical/emotional/spiritual needs, avoiding unnecessary interventions, carers and families involvement/support and patient choice.
It is hoped that palliative and end of life services and Commissioners will consider the views, celebrate and share good practice and respond to patient recommendations by finding ways to improve practice where necessary.