End-of-life care study reveals variations in pain management

MARKED variations in pain management for older people dying in hospitals and nursing homes have been found in a significant study of end-of-life care.

It also found there were very few dedicated palliative-care beds available for terminally ill patients.

There was not enough formal bereavement support before and after death and a lack of privacy and accommodation for family and friends who want to stay with their loved ones when death is imminent.