As many as one in three people who die in hospital could spend their final days at home or in more appropriate care settings, but only if the government is prepared to increase investment in community-based health and social care, according to a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank (IPPR).

End of Life Care in England says that increased investment in long-term care outside hospitals in England could enable many more people to spend their last days and weeks at home, or in a more suitable setting.

Last year, 47% of deaths in England took place in hospital, compared to 28% in a care home and just 23% at home. However, 60% of people who experience poor quality care do so in a hospital setting and, provided care at home is adequate, most would prefer to die there.

IPPR’s Jack Hunter has called on Jeremy Hunt to set out a “radical and sustainable” financial settlement for health and care to ensure more people are get the right care, in the right place for them.

End of Life Care in England also finds a correlation between poverty and the likelihood of dying in hospital, with those living in deprived areas being 15 per cent more likely to die in hospital.

IPPR Research Fellow Jack Hunter, co-author of End of Life Care in England said:

“For too many people, the end of life is an even more difficult experience than it needs to be. The fact that those living in the most deprived areas are more likely to die in hospital is wholly unjust. Where you live should not affect whether you experience good quality care at the end of your life.

“Enabling more people to spend the end of their lives outside hospitals, in more appropriate settings, with properly funded support in place, will improve their experience of care. It will also be more cost effective for the taxpayer.

“With a forthcoming green paper on care and support for older people, Jeremy Hunt has the opportunity to set out a radical and sustainable solution for how we fund quality health and care in this county. He should not pass it up.”