GPs need better training to boost their confidence in talking about death to patients and to improve care at the end of life, says new research published by the coalition Dying Matters.

The coalition, set up by the National Council for Palliative Care to reduce people’s fear of dying by breaking down the taboo of talking about and preparing for death, has piloted a training package for GPs to build their confidence in talking about the issue.

Before undertaking the training 45% of 113 GPs said that they did not feel confident in talking to patients about death and dying, but after the …