People's experiences of end of life care in West Yorkshire
NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (WY ICB) wants this vision to be informed by the experiences, positive or otherwise, of people who come into contact with end of life care services. It particularly wanted to hear the voices of people who experience inequality and inequity.
WY ICB commissioned Healthwatch in West Yorkshire to gather the views and experiences of people living in each of the five places (Bradford district and Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield district) who receive end of life care (or have a loved one who does), in relation to the six ambitions set out in the national Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care framework.
The purpose of the project was to collect and present the experiences of people receiving end of life care and their loved ones, particularly those facing inequality and inequity, so that the WY ICB can make changes that improve services for everyone in the region.
As a region, we need to do better at asking people about their wishes for the end of their life, and doing so well before death has become an imminent reality for them. We also need to improve how we guide patients through what can be an extremely complex landscape of end of life care services, so that none are left not knowing what will happen next at what is so often an overwhelming time.
We would like to say a sincere “thank you” to everyone who has contributed to this project, and most of all to the West Yorkshire residents who shared their stories with us. We hope you feel this report does you at least some justice and honours your wishes to make sure everyone is cared for well at the end of their life.
