​Charity aims to support end of life care in hospitals

A new charity aims to improve end-of-life care in Scottish hospitals and ensure patients receive the same standard of treatment as they would in a hospice.

Palliation and the Caring Hospital (Patch) promotes the need for 24/7 specialist palliative care in Scotland.

The charity was created because only a minority of patients currently benefit from specialist palliative care despite many patients requiring it.

It takes its inspiration from the acute palliative care unit in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, which started in 2009 and is now NHS funded.

Figures show one in 20 patients will die in a hospice but 50% will die in hospital.

Figures show one in 20 patients will die in a hospice but 50% will die in hospital.

Alongside Ninewells, the only other hospitals in Scotland to have specialist palliative care units are Dumfries Royal Infirmary, Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Sir Michael Nairn, chairman of Patch, said: “Only a minority of hospital patients in Scotland who could benefit from specialist care at the end of their lives actually receive it.

“Patch is working hard to support the NHS and other healthcare organisations to identify hospital requirements and support to deliver them.

“Patch believes Scottish hospitals should be as proud of end of life care for patients and families as they are of the care provided for families and babies at the beginning of life.”

Health secretary Shona Robison added: “The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that palliative and end of life care is delivered to the highest standards, in every situation, right across the country. I look forward to working with Patch as we work to deliver this.

“We are currently developing a new framework for palliative care, supported with £3.5 million of funding over the next four years. This new framework will be published in the near future.”