If someone is nearing the end of life

End of life care is care provided in the last 12 months of life. Doctors, nurses, therapists and other healthcare professionals work together to support the preferences and priorities of the person who is dying. This can also include supporting their family or people important to them through the last phase of the patient’s life and into their bereavement.

If a patient in hospital is very close to the end of their life and has said they want to die at home, the care team may be able to arrange a rapid discharge.

The hospital care team can work with social care to quickly build a plan and prepare equipment required to keep the individual comfortable at home. This could be a hospital bed and mattress, for example.

If you or someone close to you are in hospital and are concerned about dying in hospital, speak to your care team.