End of Life Network

16/11/2025

We often look for certainty during illness, but prognosis is rarely as clear as we hope. In our new blog, we explain why predictions can be unreliable, how they can affect us emotionally and practically, and what really offers better insight into the future.

When facing a serious illness, one of the most natural questions to ask is: “What is my prognosis?”It’s an attempt to make sense of uncertainty—to find something solid to hold onto during a difficult and often emotional time. But prognosis, especially when it involves estimating how long som...

11/11/2025

Did you know after death, your loved one might be taken to a corporately owned mortuary — and you may never even know where?

When a loved one dies, decisions often have to be made quickly — and one of those is who will handle the funeral arrangements. The article from End of Life Network explores how to choose the right funeral director, and it highlights a little-known but important point: some providers move the deceased to a central mortuary, sometimes far from the local area.

If you want assurance that your loved one will be cared for locally, and that you’ll have the access and involvement you deserve, this is worth a read.

Fixed (Essential) Costs These cover the core services provided by the funeral director: Additional (Optional) Costs These are the extras that can personalise the service: These additional costs can quickly add up. Planning ahead or requesting a written quotation can help you stay within your budget....

31/10/2025

A new report from the National Audit Office shows that many hospices are struggling financially, even though they provide vital care and comfort for people at the end of life. Without sustainable funding, people may have fewer choices about where they die and less access to the care they want and need.

At the End of Life Network, we believe everyone should be able to plan ahead, understand their options, and receive compassionate, person-centred care — wherever they choose to be.

https://endoflifenetwork.co.uk/independent-hospices-under-pressure-as-demand-for-end-of-life-care-grows/

A new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) (October 2025) warns that the government lacks clear understanding of how much it relies on independent adult hospices — and how sustainable they are as demand for palliative and end-of-life care rises. Independent hospices are essential to providi...

23/10/2025

For those who were unable to attend the launch, here is a short trailer showing what the evening was about. We’ve had wonderful feedback now need to keep the momentum going to reach our local communities.

With thanks to Home Instead - Chichester & Bognor Regis for sponsoring the video.

Held at the Minerva Theatre Brasserie in Chichester, the End of Life Network launch event brought together passionate professionals and organisations united ...

23/10/2025

Next Thursday we are holding an Advance Planning Workshop at Waterhaven Place. Looking at ways to record wishes in the event we lose capacity to make or communicate our decisions. It’s free to attend. If you can’t attend please do share this post so we can reach as many people as possible.

Advance Planning Workshop https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advance-planning-workshop-tickets-1800923533769

An interactive workshop exploring how to record our wishes and preferences for future care

12/10/2025

We are hosting an Advance Planning Workshop at Waterhaven Place Care Home on Thursday 30th October at 2pm.

This is an interactive session where we explore official ways to record our wishes and preferences in the event we become unable to make or communicate decisions for ourselves. None of us know when this might be and while it can never be too early to think about, it can often be too late.

There has never been a more important time to start the conversation with the pressures being faced by the NHS, Hospices and Social Care so please do come along, find out about the network and take the first step to protecting your future care.

The event will be facilitated by Bev Downie, End of Life Doula with thanks to our Network Sponsor Home Instead - Chichester & Bognor Regis.

Tickets are free or by voluntary donation from Eventbrite.

An interactive workshop exploring how to record our wishes and preferences for future care

09/10/2025

I’m still feeling so grateful after Monday night’s launch of the End of Life Network. What started as a tiny idea has grown into something truly special — and seeing so much support, kindness, and encouragement from across our community meant the world to me.

I took yesterday to rest and reflect, and I’m just so thankful for all the lovely messages and feedback. None of this would have been possible without our amazing sponsors — Home Instead Chichester & Bognor Regis, Enable and Thrive Ltd, The Owen Kenny Partnership — and the many wonderful people who helped make it happen.

The evening proved what’s possible when we come together. As a community, we really can make a difference in end of life care — and I can’t wait to see what we build together next.

09/10/2025

This is the reality of what is happening in our local area. Hospices are being squeezed by lack of funding from the government and donations are struggling due to the cost of living.

The aim of the network is to educate and empower individuals and community to support their members who are facing the end of their lives and bringing care and compassion out of the hospital environment. So many people die in hospital who could be cared for at home due to fear and lack of understanding of what is an entirely natural process.

Of course hospitals play an essential role but let’s not see them become the norm at a time when comfort and dignity is the highest priority.

The Southern Hospice Group says more people will die in hospital, if the Government doesn't agree a long-term funding plan.
https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2025-10-08/sussex-hospices-fears-services-will-be-cut-if-government-funding-fails

05/10/2025

This is the current reality of end of life care in the UK. Hospices provide an invaluable service particularly to those with complex health or social needs at the end of life. Their funding is being cut and they are struggling to carry on providing the care they do. We take it for granted that they will be there if we need them but that may not be the case. If hospices close the NHS will pick up the load and this will greatly affect the end of life experience for many, many people.

We should support our hospices but also make sure we are making our own wishes known before it becomes a crisis if we don’t want to end up in a hospital at the end of our life.

The cuts mean there will be fewer inpatient beds for people in need of end-of-life care, says boss.