Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v9i3.153
Policy Factors Shaping Palliative Care in the UK
David Clark
; Academic Palliative Medicine Unit, University of Sheffield
Jane Seymour
; Academic Palliative Medicine Unit, University of Sheffield
Michael Wright
; Academic Palliative Medicine Unit, University of Sheffield
Abstract
In the United Kingdom there is an unfolding body of evidence to show how palliative care has gained important recognition within the policy arena, gradually moving from a marginal activity which was largely the preserve of local, independent charities, to occupy a more central role in the structure of health and social care services. This paper offers a broad overview of the factors shaping palliative care in the UK from the period immediately following the Second World War to the present. It identifies and describes in some detail three broad periods: 1) Centralized control: 1945–1989. 2) Marketisation: 1989–97; and 3) The Third Way: 1997–2002. At the start of the 21 st century, palliative care in the UK has achieved wider recognition, improved funding and a larger workforce than at any previous time. However, a great deal remains to be done before fair access to specialist palliative care on the basis of need, rather than diagnosis, is available to all.
Keywords
National Health Service; hospices; purchasing cycle; needs assessment; health improvement plans; National Cancer Plan; terminal care; the palliative care approach; specialist palliative care; supportive care
Hrčak ID:
30121
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2002.
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