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Every day in the UK, about 20 terminally ill people die in pain that could have been relieved. It's a stark, heartbreaking figure, and it isn't because the medicine doesn't exist. It's because the systems meant to deliver that relief are stretched, fragmented, and underfunded.
Research by the Office for Health Economics (OHE) found that only 4.7% of people who need hospice-level care in England actually get it. That means 7,329 people a year, or 20 every single day, die in unrelieved pain, even when the best medical guidance is followed (OHE | The Guardian). The problem isn't just about medication. A King's College London survey revealed that 1 in 3 people experience severe pain in their final week of life, with many families frustrated by poor communication and lack of coordinated care. And Marie Curie's Better End of Life report found that half of patients visit A&E in their last three months, a sign of care that's reactive, not proactive.
Hospices themselves are fighting uphill battles. In 2023-24, 170 UK hospices received only 30% of their funding from the NHS, relying on unstable charity donations for the rest (The Times). Staffing shortages mean beds go empty, not because patients aren't there, but because there's no funding to support them. This postcode lottery in palliative care leaves too many without the consistent, compassionate support they deserve, especially outside hospital settings.
At Pallatus, we believe palliative care isn't optional; it's a human right. That's why our approach focuses on:
Championing palliative care isn't just an ethical stance; it builds trust. Families choose providers who face difficult truths and work tirelessly to improve them. By addressing the UK's hospice crisis head-on, you're showing that your brand stands for dignity, comfort, and accountability.
