Why was it produced?
It was produced by a range of partners across the health, social care and voluntary sectors, as well as patients and carers, as guidance for anyone planning and providing end of life care or support. It aims to ensure the right services and support are available at the right time for anyone who needs them.
We consulted with members of the public, care providers, patients and partners to find out their views on the charter. Once the final charter is agreed, all carers and providers will be encouraged to take it into account when planning and delivering end of life services. It will also give people a guide to what they can expect if they or their loved ones require services or care.
The consultation was part funded by Dying Matters, a national coalition set up to raise public awareness to support the implementation of the national End of Life Care Strategy and change attitudes and behavior towards death, dying and bereavement. Dying Matters is led by the National Council for Palliative Care, the umbrella charity that promotes palliative care for all those who need it working across all sectors, and is supported by the Department of Health.