Resources must be diverted to allow people to die at home

Thousands of dying patients a year are unnecessarily admitted to hospital in England even though the money spent could be used to provide the care at home that most people want at the end of their lives, according to a report this week from the National Audit Office.

The watchdog for public spending blamed the lack of 24 hour response services and poor coordination between health and social care services for condemning many people who would prefer to die at home to ending their lives in hospital.

Research indicates that between 56% and 74% of people would prefer to die at home. But 58% …