Dame Cicely Saunders (1918 – 2005) founder of the modern hospice movement said:

"How people die remains in the memory of those who live on. You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die."

Hospice care provides pain relief and symptom control to people with any life-limiting illness as well as emotional, spiritual and social care and support. The majority of hospice care is delivered to patients in their own home.

Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life, rather than cure and is extended to loved ones.

The goal of hospice care is to enable you to have an alert, pain-free life and to live each day as fully as possible. All hospice services are free of charge and funded through fundraising and donations with a 27% contribution from the NHS.

Receiving hospice care does not shorten life, if anything, it lengthens it. Watch this short video of Dr Katherine Sleeman from the Cicely Saunders Institute to find out more: