Updated standards for end-of-life care published by the Care Quality Commission in 2024 set out clearer expectations for providers supporting people in the final weeks and months of life. For families navigating this profoundly difficult time, understanding what high-quality end-of-life care looks like – and what you have the right to expect – is important.
The Wish to Die at Home
Survey after survey shows that the majority of people in England – typically around 70-80% – express a preference to die at home rather than in hospital. Yet in practice, only around 45% of deaths occur outside of hospital. Good end-of-life care planning and well-resourced home care can help to close this gap between preference and reality.
What the New Standards Require
The updated CQC standards emphasise advance care planning – the process of documenting a person wishes about their care before they lose the capacity to express them. This includes Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment (ADRTs), DNACPR forms, and Preferred Priorities of Care documents. Providers are now expected to have robust processes for ensuring care workers are aware of and respect these documented wishes.
Supporting Families Through Bereavement
The standards also strengthen expectations around bereavement support for families and loved ones. At Your Care Solutions, we recognise that the relationship we build with families during end-of-life care does not end at the moment of death. If you are exploring end-of-life care options for a loved one, please speak with our team – these conversations are not easy, but having them early makes a real difference.
