People are generally living longer and, of the half a million people who die each year in England, two-thirds are over 75 years old. The majority of deaths occur in an acute hospital (hospital) and do so following a period of chronic illness such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic respiratory disease, neurological disease or dementia. Most people wish to be cared for and die in their home but the number of people who are able to do so varies with age, geographical area and, most significantly, by condition.

Executive Summary  (448 KB)

A Review of the Provision of End of Life Care Services in City and Hackney Primary Care Trust(132 KB)

A Review of the Provision of End of Life Care Services in Herefordshire Primary Care Trust (134 KB)

A Review of the Provision of End of Life Care Services in Sheffield Primary Care Trust (125 KB)

The potential cost savings of greater use of home and hospice based end of life care in England (778 KB)

Identifying Alternatives to Hospital for People at the End of Life (377 KB)

Report on the Finding of a Survey of Doctors in England (681 KB)

Report on the Findings of Focus Groups and Interviews with Patients and Carers (300 KB)

Survey of Nurses  (163 KB)

Survey of Independent and NHS Hospices (326 KB)

Survey of Care Homes (152 KB)

Survey of Primary Care Trusts (141 KB)