Hospice Clinical Director warns hospitals cannot shoulder end-of-life care alone

Treetops Hospice is highlighting the growing strain on end-of‑life services, as new reports show that some patients are spending their final days in busy acute hospitals – in some cases receiving care in corridors.

The charity says this reflects wider pressures across the system and highlights the importance of strong community-based support, such as its Hospice at Home service.

Philippa Shreeve, Director of Clinical Services at Treetops Hospice, explains: “The recent reporting on pressures within palliative care, including patients receiving care in A&E corridors, highlights a national issue that can’t be ignored. When hospitals become the default option for people at the end-of-life, it is a sign that the wider system is struggling.

“At Treetops Hospice, we see every day how vital community-based palliative care is in preventing exactly these situations.

“Last year, our Hospice at Home nurses delivered more than 34,000 hours of care, supporting over 2,000 patients across central and southern  Derbyshire. As a result, 685 people were able to die at home, where they wished to be, and more than 95% of patients received care in their preferred place.

“This is not just about comfort. It is about dignity, choice and reducing avoidable pressure on the NHS.

“When hospitals are overwhelmed, people at the end of their lives can find themselves in environments that were never designed for their needs.

“Community-based hospice care is essential to ensure that people can spend their final days where they feel supported, and receive high quality compassionate care from diagnosis to end-of-life.

“To prevent the distressing scenarios described in recent reports, investment must reach the services that keep people out of hospital in the first place.

“At Treetops, we provide expert care, emotional support and stability, but as a charity receiving less than 18% statutory funding, we heavily rely on the generosity of our supporters to sustain this work.

“End-of-life care is a whole‑system responsibility. Strengthening hospice and community services is not optional; it is the only way to ensure people can die with dignity and the NHS can function as intended.

“We fully support the government’s commitment to palliative and end-of-life care being a top priority as it develops its Neighbourhood Health Strategy, recognising that hospices such as Treetops are fundamental to its delivery.”