Andy Burnham, the United Kingdom's prime minister-in-waiting, is facing calls to significantly increase funding for end-of-life care. A report from the charity Marie Curie indicates that an estimated 22,000 individuals are expected to die this summer in England without receiving adequate support.
Marie Curie has sent a letter to Burnham, advocating for an annual allocation of an additional £200 million to palliative services. The charity contends that this funding would serve as a catalyst for change, potentially reducing hospital admissions and saving the National Health Service (NHS) an estimated £775 million to £790 million annually.
Currently, £9.5 billion is allocated to end-of-life care each year, with 81% directed towards hospitals rather than community-based services. This distribution, according to Marie Curie, leaves many individuals with limited choices regarding where they spend their final days.
The charity's research highlights that over 22,000 people will die without the necessary care during the upcoming parliamentary recess. "Every one of those people is someone's parent, partner, sibling, friend or neighbour," stated Marie Curie chief executive Matthew Reed. "Andy Burnham has spoken about creating a fairer health service that delivers more care closer to home. Fixing end-of-life care must be part of that."
Reed emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that "nearly one in three people dying without the support they need should be a wake-up call. Action is urgent."
The NHS 10 Year Plan already outlines a strategic shift away from hospital-centric care toward improved community services. Marie Curie suggests that a dedicated "transformation fund" of £200 million per year for the next three years could accelerate this transition. The charity believes that such investment would enhance patient and family experiences while simultaneously alleviating pressure on the broader health service.