RCN welcomes Government End of Life Care Strategy

Published: 17 July 2008

The Royal College of Nursing has said it is encouraged by the Government’s plans to increase its investment in training and development of health and social care professionals, as part of the End of Life Care Strategy.

The strategy promotes high quality end of life care for all adults in England. It aims to provide people approaching the end of life with more choice about where they would like to live and die.

The RCN welcomed the strategy but urged the Government to spell out how it intends to deliver the £286 million set aside to deliver high quality, compassionate and dignified end of life care.

Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing said:

“Delivering quality palliative care requires a well resourced workforce and it is vital that Strategic Health Authorities recognise the need to invest in the staff that provides these specialist services.

There are numerous examples of the voluntary sector and independent hospices delivering high quality care across the UK and it’s important that such work is recognised”.   

The End of Life Care Strategy follows work shaped on end of life care undertaken by strategic health authorities for the NHS Next Stage Review.

Further information

Read the End of Care Life Strategy on the Department of Health website.

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