End of Life Care

End of life care is support for people who are in their last months or years of life.

The aim is to keep you living as well as possible until you die. During this time, you may be asked about your wishes and preferences which may include where you want to die. You may be able to receive end of life care at home, in a care home, in the hospital or in a hospice depending on your needs and preferences.

People who are approaching the end of their life are entitled to high-quality care, wherever they're being cared for.

Who provides end of life care? 

End of life care can be provided by multiple health care professionals who often work together to provide this care. For example, your GP, hospital doctors, community nurses, social care staff, chaplains, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

If you are being cared for at home or in a care home, your GP has overall responsibility for your care. Community nurses usually visit you at home and family and friends may be closely involved in caring for you too.

When does this start? 

End of life care should start when you need it. This will be different in every individual – sometimes in the last days to weeks of life and sometimes a longer period of months or years.

Sometimes people want to plan ahead for future scenarios. By informing the healthcare professionals supporting your care of these wishes and preferences, they can try to tailor your care.  You can find more information about how to do this in our planning ahead section.