A Good Death: The inside story of a hospice

Sky News has learned that one in four terminally ill people who need end-of-life care are not receiving it due to a lack of funding.

Two-thirds of hospices had their NHS funding cut or frozen last year, but with an ageing population, demand for their services is growing.

So what pressure are they under, and what help do they need?

Our health correspondent Paul Kelso has this special report.

[mikethemechanic]

My mom used to be Director of Nursing in an Hospice center for the elderly. She cared so much for her job. She loved her residents and she saw so many pass away. I don’t know how she did it for so long. She was my hero. She lived 7 years after she retired.

[Melissahenry]

My dad is on day 2 of hospice he has stage 4 bile duct cancer. It’s so hard especially that he completely stopped talking but I know he can hear. It’s like he has already drifted into another dimension. This is so hard. I have so much respect for those in this industry.

[mirandapriest]

My aunt started hospice and is actively dying right now and they are so helpful and kind. They care for her and offer her the spiritual comfort she needs to most. I said goodbye today as she has a max of 3 days left and they have done nothing but care for her, pray with her and treat her pain. Hospice is truly an amazing thing and I’m glad it exists,

[michaelepps]

Dude i work as a caregiver we had this young boy on hospice for muscular dystrophy i never understood what hospice was until i saw him take his last breath rest in peace matthew i was never the same after that day they say dont get too attached to ur clients but gah dam dude i will never b the same

[susanfifer]

My late dad lived with us for over 11 years, then at 87 was diagnosed with aggressive bladder cancer, I did palliative care in our home until I could no longer move him.. We went to hospice where I stayed with him holding his hand for 5 days 24/7 I remember how peaceful my dad was when the angels of nurses gave him a bubble bath for the first time in weeks wow... Hospice was wonderful and made me be a daughter to my dad instead of a caregiver and what a journey it was for both of us.. I was always afraid of death but being with my dad, and in hospice was a beautiful journey back home for him❤️

[bluelagoonuk]

My dad was 45 when he lost the battle with cancer i was 23 it broke my heart in a whole different way than ever before!! My dad had 2mnths in the Rotherham hospice i take my hat off to the nurses, staff and volunteers they cared for my dad and helped me beyond their duty of care even after he passed. They truly are Angels

[veelighted]

Hospice workers are angels on earth. 🤲🏻😢🕊🙏🏻

[Bella-lgix]

I took a CNA course 2yrs ago, unfortunately i was unable to do my clinicals. This video and others alike have inspired me to go back. I have every book, all my notes and every exam. It would fill my heart to be able to show people compassion and companionship during such difficult times. Wish me luck🤞🏾

[pastapanda]

I'm an in home caregiver for the elderly. Sometimes I care for people who are nearing the end. Most of them are blissfully accepting of it and it's taught me a lot.

[cyborgclarke]

There needs to be a law to allow for assisted suicide instead of just waiting to die.

[kerryjones]

Clive Smith is my grandad i couldn't thank St Luke's enough for everything they have done for my grandad he was very proud of the place and really did appreciate everything they did for him xx

[richardmills]

My best friend just died of lung cancer. She drove herself to the hospital on Sept 1st and passed away 13 days later. I didn't think cancer killed that fast. It took her so fast that none of us had enouph time to say everything we needed to say. I still can't grasp what has happened.

[KelleeYouPersonalOracle]

This makes my heart smile! I am so proud to be a hospice volunteer!

[patricialong]

As a CNA, I've worked a lot of hospice in my years and have seen some amazing people pass.I'm 65 years old and still learning!

[rosesandbees.]

My dad has Parkinson’s, dementia and dysphasia. My sister called me today to tell me they’re transporting my dad to hospice for comfort measures. I saw my dad about one week ago and told him how much I love him and asked for forgiveness for being a terrible teen. Today, I was able to FaceTime my dad and tell him how much I love him.
😭

[messyspiller]

I'm about to become a hospice care nurse and I hope that I make each and every one of my patients as comfortable as can be in their transition. I hope their families think of me as someone who did everything she could for her patients ❤️

[chrissimpson]

This is my destiny to make them feel as loved, and cherished as they transition over to the other side. I love the elderly so much.

[charlottestephens]

My grandmother died from cancer years ago and we could not have done it without hospice care. They made it so easy to help make her last days the way she wanted. She was at home with family.

[franciastone]

My husband stayed at home and Hospice came to him during his last week. Until that time, I was his sole caregiver for several years. He had several medical issues, one being Parkinson's, which wasn't his biggest problem but affected his balance so he was confined to a wheel chair. His greatest pleasure besides eating, was showering. SHOWERING. I put his commode in the shower, without the pot, and then would roll him into bathroom where we managed to get him to sit under the shower. He loved it. He forgot everything and relished every little droplet that kissed his body.

[yasaman]

Today it was my dad’s funeral, o lost him due to cancer, he fought so hard. Yet he was so hopeful to live . He was in hospice for the last 2 days, he was so relaxed in hospice . Hospice is just a beautiful thing.