Warning over lack of care for dying

DYING Scots spend more than three weeks in emergency NHS beds because of a shortage of end-of-life care.

Marie Curie, the terminal illness charity, has revealed there were nearly 100,000 emergency admissions for people in the last year of their lives in Scotland in 2016, costing the NHS £285million.

But these emergency admissions can often be avoided if adequate community provision – such as care home places or palliative care at home – is provided.

The charity warns the NHS will struggle as it tries to cope with growing numbers of elderly patients sent to A&E. It says more community care must be provided.

Using NHS data, the charity found that the average Scot in their last year of life in 2016 spent nearly 23 days in a hospital emergency bed and had at least one emergency admission. Richard Meade, the charity’s head of policy and public affairs for Scotland, said: ‘While some emergency hospital admissions for people living with a terminal illness are appropriate and necessary, many are not and can be avoided if appropriate care in the community is provided.’

Dr Adrian Boyle, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: ‘This analysis shows the urgent need for investment in more hospital beds and social care. ’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Scotland is widely recognised for providing high-quality palliative care for those nearing the end of their life.

‘The Marie Curie report notes that we have responded to the demands of an ageing population on health and care services through the integration of health and social care.’