Identifying variation in end of life care commissioning

As part of our review into end of life care, we have written to a sample of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to ask them for information so that we can better understand the variation in the quality of care which people receive at the end of life.

We want to know how the needs of the local population in relation to end of life care are being met, regardless of how services are organised. We are asking specifically about care for the particular groups of people listed below. We expect to report on our findings from our review into end of life care next autumn.

The importance of commissioning

The role of commissioners is important to people experiencing good end of life care. We know that there are challenges but there is lots of good practice which others can learn from.

We want to better understand commissioning priorities and activities, how CCGs are addressing the needs of particular groups of people and to what extent they vary across the country.

The questionnaire, which we have sent to CCGs, will help us to understand the role of commissioning and its link to variation.

We will follow up the CCG questionnaire with fieldwork in the sample of local areas which will look at people’s experience of joined-up end of life care.

End of life care themed review

End of Life Care covers the care received by people who are likely to die in the next 12 months, as well as care in the last days and hours of life, and care after death, including bereavement support for families and loved ones.

Our evidence shows that people from particular groups experience end of life care which is of poorer quality and does not always meet their needs. This is why we are focusing our review on the following priority groups in particular:

• People with a diagnosis other than cancer
• People aged over 75
• People with dementia
• People from BAME groups and
• Other groups of people who may have specific needs, such as people with mental health needs, people with learning disabilities, people who identify as LGBT, people who are homeless, prisoners, travellers and gypsies

During the review, we want to develop our understanding of the barriers which prevent people from receiving good quality and joined-up end of life care.

We will identify examples of good local practice that others can learn from. The review will also identify the actions that need to happen nationally so that the inequalities in end of life care services can be addressed.

More information is available about our end of life care themed inspection review CQC wants to hear about experiences of care. You can do using our share your experience form or by calling the helpline on 03000 616161.