Created on
19 October 2015
This meeting took place on 20 October 2015. Read the transcript here.
Certain groups of people in London are more likely to receive poorer end of life care than others. It can be more difficult to access the best care if you:
- Are aged 85 or older.
- Are single or live alone.
- Have a terminal illness other than cancer.
- Are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background.
- Live in the most deprived areas.
A report by the Economist Intelligence Unit recently ranked the UK as the best country in the world for end of life care services. However, the quality of end of life care received in London currently under-performs against national averages. Just 4 out of 33 Clinical Commissioning Groups in London scored above the national average for end of life care quality indicators. And there is considerable variation in the quality of care within London – with Islington the second best Clinical Commissioning Group and Newham the worst.
The London Assembly Health Committee will tomorrow examine end of life care in the capital and the barriers certain groups face.
The following guests will be questioned:
- Brian Andrews, Chair, Pan-London End of Life Alliance Lay Representatives Board
- Deborah Hayes, Director of Individual Services, Age UK East London
- Dr Jonathan Koffman, Senior Lecturer in Palliative Care, Kings College London
- Claire Henry MBE, Chief Executive, National Council for Palliative Care
- Meeta Kathoria, Head of Programmes – Service Development, Marie Curie
- Dr Caroline Stirling, Consultant in Palliative Medicine and End of Life Care Network Lead, University College London
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 20 October from 10:00am in the Chamber at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend. The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.
Notes to editors
- End of life care is defined as support for people who are in the last weeks or months of their life.
- Full agenda papers.
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee is available for interview. See contact details below.
- London Assembly Health Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.