This article reviews a retrospective study carried out looking at the timing of referral for palliative care to UK hospices. 64 hospices took part, representing a third of UK hospices, a mix of charity-managed and NHS managed sites, and varied in geographical location and size. The study found hospice care is introduced on average 48 days before death. Younger people and those with cancer were more likely to receive hospice care early in their illness trajectory. For people with dementia, the average time spent under hospice care was just nine days. This study adds to the body of evidence describing inequalities in care for people who are dying. Research into models of care is needed to understand the potential solutions.
Timing of referral for hospice-based palliative care varies nationwide, November 2018, Nursing Times, 114 (11) p 52.
The full report can be accessed at the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) -