By Dr Alice Malpass, Senior Research Fellow, and Lucy Selman, Professor of Palliative and End of Life Care, Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol
“Death comes equally to us all, and makes us all equal when it comes.” – John Donne
While death is inevitable for everyone, the experience of dying and receiving support through bereavement varies greatly in the UK. Sadly, older people, ethnic minorities, and those living in poverty often face significant barriers to accessing end-of-life care and bereavement support. These challenges include a lack of awareness of available services, discomfort asking for help, discrimination, and a shortage of services tailored to the needs of diverse communities. People living with disadvantage are also more likely to face isolation and receive poorer-quality care during serious illness and bereavement. These disparities were even more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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