Half of UK adults worry about painful death, survey reveals

Nearly half (47%) of UK adults are nervous that they or their family members may have a painful or undignified dying, based on a survey commissioned by King’s School London.

The survey performed by Focaldata explores public attitudes to dying and dying and finds that nearly half (44%) of respondents additionally really feel nervous in regards to the high quality of palliative and end-of-life care within the UK.

Earlier analysis signifies that as much as 90% of individuals within the UK would require palliative care earlier than they die. Nevertheless, the survey findings reveal gaps in preparedness, understanding and the right way to speak about dying and dying. Forty p.c of respondents stated they didn’t know the right way to entry palliative care of their space, and nearly one-third stated they didn’t know sufficient in regards to the well being care system to seek out the help {that a} dying individual wants. The survey additionally discovered that nearly two thirds (62%) of individuals had not made a will, reflecting low ranges of sensible planning for the top of life.

Yearly roughly 100,000 dying folks don’t obtain the palliative care they want, leaving many in pointless ache and misery. King’s School London is main the way in which to make sure extra folks obtain the high-quality palliative and end-of-life care that they want.

In autumn 2025, King’s School London will launch the Affect Middle for Palliative and Finish-of-Life Care. The middle—the primary of its variety within the UK—will create long-term, systemic change within the supply of take care of dying folks.

The middle will allow the supply of high-quality palliative and end-of-life care throughout the UK by guaranteeing that the proof of what works is used within the supply of care. This may be sure that people obtain the best customary of care throughout their ultimate levels of life, no matter who they’re or the place they arrive from. The middle will help well being care professionals and practitioners to ship higher care with confidence and empower folks to advocate for themselves and their households.

Drawing on world-leading analysis from the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Coverage and Rehabilitation and experience from throughout King’s School London and past, the middle will immediately enhance palliative care within the UK, and set up a framework for higher care that could possibly be utilized throughout the globe.

This dedication to enhancing care is matched by recognizing the necessity for extra open conversations about dying within the UK. The survey reveals a deeper cultural discomfort with dying and bereavement, which the middle will deal with via public engagement and training. Simply 55% of survey respondents stated they felt in a position to communicate to somebody who’s grieving about their loss, and solely 31% felt in a position to speak about dying, dying or grief with a toddler.

“As a clinician, I see first-hand the advantages that palliative care delivers for sufferers and their households. As a researcher, I do know that too many individuals will not be getting the care that would profit them, and that there are enormous inequalities in accessing prime quality care,” says heart lead Professor Katherine Sleeman, from the Florence Nightingale School of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care at King’s School London.

“Though a wealth of proof has now been generated on methods to enhance experiences and outcomes for folks approaching the top of life, too usually this proof just isn’t used to enhance care, that means dying folks endure and people near them are left to choose up the items.”

“By closing the hole between proof and apply, the Affect Middle for Palliative and Finish-of-Life Care will make a profound and lasting distinction for folks with life-limiting diseases and their family members, now and sooner or later. We’re extremely grateful for the help of the Kirby Laing Basis in serving to us understand this imaginative and prescient. Because the work of the middle builds, we want additional funding to assist us scale the impression of our work and be sure that everybody receives the care and help they want as they strategy the top of life.”