Saturday 11 February 2012
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Two years on since the End of Life Care (EoLC) Strategy was published, Steve Jenkin, director of health and social care at Sue Ryder, comments on its progress
13 July 2010
The EoLC Strategy (Department of Health, July 2008) marked a significant step forward. However whilst the £286 million additional funding and set priorities were welcomed, it has been difficult to ascertain progress of the Strategy in achieving all of its aims. Initial reports suggest that a number of PCTs aren’t able to identify where they spent allocated funds and community-based services haven’t necessarily received funding in step with that allocated to update and refurbish existing hospice services.
The National Audit Office (Nov, 2008) and Public Accounts Committee reports (May, 2009) on end of life care both highlighted that existing palliative care services are increasingly underfunded by comissioners, and worryingly, a relience on voluntary fundraising is growing. We must ensure that once funding released under the Strategy is finished (2011), we do not return to a position of financial reliance on the voluntary sector. Sue Ryder is calling on the government to implement its plan for a tariff for palliative and end of life care services at the earliest opportunity.
While the exact benefits of funding received remain hazy in some areas the Strategy has supported end of life care to rise up the political agenda and public consciousness of the subject.
Detailed within the EoLC Strategy is praise for the role of hospices and their ability to provide training and advice to commissioners and other providers on how to ensure best end of life care in any location. Nurses’ continued educational role is vital to ensure the successful implementation of the Strategy. Nurse-led innovation and research is also crucial.
Going forward we would like to see the Government and NHS strengthen its commitments to implementing the Strategy, in particular to ensure this financial year’s allocated £198million is spent to improve and increase community-based services. The additional challenge will be to ensure that support for palliative and end of life care is not one of the areas facing government spending cuts.
As well as funding issues, to ensure the EoLC Strategy is successful we all have a part to play, and nurses’ expertise and role in pioneering and delivering frontline care will continue to be pivotal.