1/ While many people do want to die at home, we must be wary of using this increase in home deaths as an indicator of 'success'. @UshaGrieve explains in @thetimes today: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-harrowing-increase-in-end-of-life-cases-at-home-5gbjbzx0j

2/ On our info line, we've heard that in some areas the pressures of covid-19 have forced services to streamline, and people have been able to access end of life support at home quickly and effectively.
But that is not the case across the board.

3/ We've also heard that in other areas people have been discharged with little or no support at home.

Other people have refused all help at home for fear they will be admitted to hospital and separated from family members.

4/ Dying at home is too often used as a proxy for what good, person-centred end-of-life care should look like. But this all depends on the support available and people's other priorities. When asked, people often prioritise being pain-free over dying at home, for instance.

5/ Truly person-centred end-of-life care is about exploring people's wishes in detail and being honest about the reality of support available in different settings to achieve this. Only then can ppl make the choices that are right for them to have the best chance at a good death.

6/ And thanks to @katlay for coming to @AGoodDeath for this story.

I'm so sorry to hear this, my condolences.