Macmillan responds to Andy Burnham's announcement about right to die at home consultation

Responding to Health Secretary Andy Burnham’s announcement this morning that ministers will be considering whether to give patients a legal right on where to die, Duleep Allirajah, Policy Manager Macmillan Cancer Support, said:

'We believe patients should be able to choose where they die. Most people would prefer to die at home but less than a quarter (24%) ¹ of cancer patients do - most die in hospital (48%) ¹ .

'This is mainly due to a lack of access to round-the-clock community nursing. This can lead to problems with planning, symptom control or support for carers and without these in place, patients will not have any real choice on where they die.

'We would welcome any move that supports patients to die where they choose.'

For further information, please contact:

Helen Sathyaseelan, Media & PR Officer, Macmillan Cancer Support

020 7840 4689 (Out of Hours: 07801 307 068)

HSathyaseelan@macmillan.org.uk|

Notes to editors

¹ NAO End of Life Care report 2008

 Half a million people die in England each year.  More than a quarter (27%) of these deaths are caused by cancer. Cancer Research UK

About Macmillan Cancer Support:

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with and beyond cancer. 

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with and beyond cancer. 

For answers, s upport or just a chat, visit www.macmillan.org.uk| or call Macmillan on 0808 808 0000 - no matter what your question.