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New survey reveals serious gaps in palliative and end-of-life care
10 Jun 2025
Our new survey has revealed serious gaps in communication and care between health professionals and people nearing the end of their life, just days ahead of the parliamentary debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
A staggering 84% of terminally ill people have had either little or no discussion with a healthcare professional about palliative and end-of-life care options, a survey has revealed.
A quarter (26%) of respondents felt their current healthcare is either not meeting their needs at all or not very much, and 28% said they were not at all confident or not very confident they will receive the care that will help them to live well for as long as possible in the next month.
Key stats from our latest survey
When asked how much, if at all, has a healthcare professional spoken to respondents about palliative and end-of-life care options, 74% saying not at all and 12% said not very much.
When asked to what extent, if at all, does the healthcare you are currently receiving meet your needs, 21% said not very much and 5% said not at all. Over the next month, 18% were not very confident and 10% not at all confident they will receive healthcare that will help them to live well for as long as possible.
All polling figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 354 adults who are terminally ill in England and Wales (aged 18+). Fieldwork was undertaken between 27th March - 5th May 2025. The survey was carried out online.
The Government must reform palliative care in its upcoming 10-year plan. Sue Ryder wants to see a new ecosystem for palliative and end-of-life care, which will improve the care dying people receive in hospitals and in their own homes, which would include supporting them to plan for the end of their lives.
James Sanderson, our Chief Executive said:
“How we die matters. If somebody has received a terminal diagnosis, they should be having conversations with their healthcare professionals about how and where they want to die and yet, these conversations are simply not happening.
Sue Ryder remains neutral on the issue of assisted dying, but the debate has thrown a spotlight on the accessibility, or lack thereof, of palliative care in the UK. And we know people have real fears that a lack of care could push some patients to consider an assisted death.
Too many people are currently dying in hospital, and 8% of people who are referred to a Sue Ryder inpatient unit die before they reach us. All of this can and must be fixed, whether assisted dying becomes legalised or not.
All of this can and must be fixed, whether assisted dying becomes legalised or not.
James Sanderson, Chief Executive, Sue Ryder
Sue Ryder says this lack of planning could increase terminally ill people’s reliance on unplanned, emergency hospital care. Currently 43% of deaths occur in hospital, which does not reflect the majority of people’s wish to spend the end of their lives at home.
Sue Ryder is advocating for the introduction of dedicated hospice areas within hospitals. These “Sue Ryder Alongside Suites” would identify people in their final year of life, in A&E or on general wards, and transfer them into specialist hospice care, substantially relieving pressure on the NHS. If appropriate, patients would be promptly discharged back to the comfort of their own homes, with robust care plans in place. For those nearing the very end of life, these suites would offer a calm and compassionate environment for a dignified death, away from busy hospital wards.
Jamesadded:
“Our new model for palliative and end-of-life care, places emphasis on planning and ensures better access to specialist care in local communities and hospitals. We are calling on the Government to work with us, and the wider hospice sector, to address these changes in its upcoming 10-year plan for the NHS. It is the right thing to do for people at the end-of-life, and it has the potential to free up capacity within overstretched hospitals."
Other key stats
8% of admissions to Sue Ryder’s in patient units. Figure from internal data pulled from September 2023-October 2024 by Sue Ryder.
Whether you’re terminally ill, or you just want to consider your future care options, we’re here to help with more information and advice about what to include in your Advance Care Plan.
Choosing where to die can be hard to think about. But whether you want to die at home, a hospice, a nursing home or in hospital, being in the right place for you can be really important. Your needs may change, but most people find it helpful to think abou
Our Chief Executive, James Sanderson, sets out Sue Ryder's recommendations to the Government on how the NHS 10-Year Plan can support terminally ill people.
