People's experiences of end of life care
NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, who cover the district of Craven, wants this vision to be informed by the experiences, positive or otherwise, of people who come into contact with end of life care services. It particularly wanted to hear the voices of people who experience inequalities and unfairness.
Their role is planning to meet your health needs, manage the NHS budget and arranging health services.
They are part of West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (also known as an integrated care system), which involves the NHS, councils, local Healthwatch, hospices, charities and voluntary organisations working together to make things better.
Local Healthwatch were asked to gather the views and experiences of people living in each of the five places (Bradford district and Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield district) who receive end of life care (or have a loved one who does), in relation to some ambitions that have been set out.
The national ambitions for palliative and end of life care
The ambitions were developed by statutory and voluntary organisations. It sets out our vision to improve end of life care through people working together between organisations at local level throughout England:
- Each person is seen as an individual.
- Each person gets fair access to care.
- Maximising comfort and wellbeing.
- Care is co-ordinated.
- All staff are prepared to care.
- Each community is prepared to help.
Purpose of feedback
The purpose of the project was to collect and present the experiences of people receiving end of life care and their loved ones, particularly those facing inequality and inequity, so that decision-makers within the NHS can make changes that improve services for everyone in the region.
What do we want to see happen
As a region, we need to do better at asking people about their wishes for the end of their life, and doing so well before death has become an imminent reality for them. We also need to improve how we guide patients through what can be an extremely complex landscape of end of life care services, so that none are left not knowing what will happen next at what is so often an overwhelming time.
We would like to say a sincere “thank you” to everyone who has contributed to this project, and most of all to the residents who shared their stories with us. We hope you feel this report does you at least some justice and honours your wishes to make sure everyone is cared for well at the end of their life.
What our public told us about end of life care
Read our end of life care report
Trigger warning – These documents include details about death and dying, which some people may find distressing to read. If you need support around the end of life or bereavement, please refer to North Yorkshire Council's hospice care for adults or NHS advice on end of life care.
