Endgame

Over a fifth of people in England and Wales are dying at home, a study published in Palliative Care reports. The time series analysis, which covered 2004-2010, showed a steady rise, from 18.3% in 2004 to 20.8% in 2010. This increase was also more marked amongst people with cancer and in the older population: it is the first rise in home deaths since 1974 amongst people over 85 years old. Guidance from NICE on commissioning end of life care focuses on designing "high quality evidence based services" supporting the national End of Life Care Strategy and the NICE quality standard. It also includes a benchmarking tool that promises a 10% reduction in hospital admissions that end in death and a possible £52million cost saving. The National End of Life Care Programme has produced guidance for professionals on developing bereavement services.

Data monitor

NHS Information Centre has launched a very useful indicator portal, bringing together in one handy place all those pesky health and social care indicators. The 20th annual Health Survey for England was released last month. Special focus for this issue is respiratory health.