Expectations of life

Continued development of life-extending technologies increase the expectation of access to treatments. People expect access for their family and friends to expensive treatments which may extend life regardless of the quality of life provided. Increased provision of treatment lengthens hospital stays and places heavier financial burden on hospitals. Acute wards become overwhelmed by the reduction in bed turnover rates.

Proposed workforce impact

• The demand for acute medical care increases.

Sources or references

• www.kingsfund.org.uk/time-to-think-differently/blog/how-well-nhs-meeting-public-expectations
• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3132352/

Additional research questions

• Are public attitudes to euthanasia and ‘do not resuscitate’ affecting perceptions of what treatment should be available?
• Whose role is it to educate the public about the futility of treatment?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.