Dr Guy Peryer (School of Health Sciences and Norwich Medical School)

Due to expanding demand, challenges to workforce and workload capacity in health and social care we must increase social cohesion at a societal level to improve experiences of care. These ideals are at the centre of transitioning to Integrated Care Systems in 2022. In end-of-life care, if appropriate levels of support are absent, experiences of distress can affect families long-after a family member has died. There is only one chance to get it right.

This is a growing challenge. Trajectories of functional decline are longer and shallower than ever before — meaning many older age people have high support needs for longer periods at the end-of-life. It is estimated that by 2040, 75% of people with life-limiting illness will benefit from palliative care.

We must devise suitable bespoke solutions to support an effective interface between care systems and the community sector to increase capacity whilst maintaining quality and safety standards.