UK end-of-life care 'best in world'

[annie]

End-of-life care in the UK has been ranked as the best in the world with a study praising the quality and availability of services.

The study of 80 countries said thanks to the NHS and hospice movement the care provided was "second to none".

Rich nations tended to perform the best - with Australia and New Zealand ranked second and third respectively.

But the report by the Economist Intelligence Unit praised progress made in some of the poorest countries.

For example Mongolia - ranked 28th - has invested in hospice facilities, while Uganda - 35th - has managed to improve access to pain control through a public-private partnership.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34415362

[maureenho]

Thats a surprise.

[wendy]

I heard this on the radio this morning when people phoned in to say what excellent care or not, their loved ones received.
If you look at other countries we are lucky.

[annie]

When we get palliative care right in the UK, it is indeed second to none, I worked 10 years in this area & It was largely a very positive experience and also a privilege. Sadly, have had lots of personal experience too. There is no need for anyone to die in pain & without dignity today, but there are some areas where the knowledge is lacking & patients suffer as a result.

[maureenho]

On the radio this lunchtime they were saying Hospice care in the UK was excellent.