Why is this National Indicator important?
The indicator will represent the wishes and choices for patients and their carers and also demonstrate the effectiveness of having a planned approach to end of life care. An increase in this measure will reflect both quality and value through more effective, person centred and efficient end of life care with people being better able to be cared for at home or closer to home with a planned approach to end of life care resulting in less time in an acute hospital setting.
What will influence this National Indicator?
- The resources available for palliative care
- Taking into account people's wishes on where they would like to die
- People, their carers and families attitude towards dying
What is the Government's role?
It is now possible to predict the progress of many diseases, enabling a planned approach to palliative and end of life care in ways which reflect best practice and which, as far as is practicable, in accordance with the needs and wishes of patients, carers and their families.
It is the aim of the Scottish Government to ensure the delivery of high quality palliative care to everyone in Scotland on the basis of clinical need and according to established principles of equity and personal dignity.
The Percentage of last six months of life spent at home or in a community setting is an indicator which will tie into the national action plan for palliative and end of life care in Scotland. This national action plan is called "Living & Dying Well" and was launched in October 2008. "Living & Dying Well: Building on Progress" was launched in January 2011 and records the progress which has been made towards achieving the aims of Living and Dying Well, and sets out the next phase of actions required by NHS Boards working with stakeholders.
How is Scotland performing?
There has been little change in the percentage of the last 6 months of life spent at home or in a community setting over the years between 2005/06 and 2009/10. The current percentage, 90.7% compares with 90.5% in the previous year and 90.4% in the baseline year 2005/06.
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: SMR01 and GRO Death Records
Criteria for recent change
The evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 0.5 percentage points of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. An increase of 0.5 percentage points or more suggests the position is improving; whereas a decrease of 0.5 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening.
Further Information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Who are our partners?
NHS Boards
Local authorities
The Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care in Scotland
Related Strategic Objectives
Healthier