11 March 2005
Some terminally ill patients are receiving inadequate care because of limited resources, lack of staff and weak relationships between professionals, according to the King's Fund.
A two-year study into end-of-life care in London found patchy services, while funds and staff were often in short supply. It said the reorganisation of GP out-of-hours cover had contributed to the poor service.
Primary care trusts took over responsibility for providing out-of-hours services in December, but this was likely to reduce patients' continuity of care.
King's Fund chief executive Niall Dickson said: 'These vulnerable patients need the right support, no matter what time of day it is.'
PFmar2005