Public fear for future of hospice care, warns charity

Help for Hospices said seven in every 10 people think that the number of people who will need hospice care will “rocket” in coming years.

And half of the 2,000 Britons polled by the charity said they are worried that there will not be enough hospice care available in the future should they or their loved ones need it.

The charity released the poll as a report from the Commission into the Future of Hospice Care highlighted the challenges facing the sector over the next 10 to 15 years.

The report calls on hospices to adapt their services to meet the rising demand for services.

It also states that hospices must work more closely with other care services.

Lord Howard, chair of Help the Hospices, said: “Demand for hospice care will surge in coming decades, driven by the UK’s rapidly ageing population, and our survey shows there is considerable public concern about this.

“The report is a clarion call to all of us in the hospice sector to prepare for the huge challenges that lie ahead. However, there is also a real opportunity for hospices to take a stronger lead on providing care across their local communities.”