Marie Curie Cancer Care: Care at home is possible

More terminally-ill people can be supported to die at home without costing the government more money, Marie Curie Cancer Care claims.

The charity has been trialling its Delivering Choice programme in seven sites across the UK.

This programme redesigns and better coordinates palliative care services.

Marie Curie Cancer Care wants the strategy to be implemented across the UK to ensure that people with terminal illnesses can choose to where to die.

"When all the elements of Delivering Choice are in place patients and their loved ones benefit from the care and support they need in familiar and comfortable surroundings," said the charity's chief executive Thomas Hughes-Hallett.
"The programme gives patients what they want – to die at home – and does not cost any more; if anything it costs less."

He added: "I would hope that with such a clear cut case for the roll-out of the programme we can find a way for government to invest in end of life care and honour the wishes of those who want to spend their final days at home."