Quality in palliative care services: patients’ views

This article identifies the views of terminally ill patients with cancer about the palliative care services they receive and the value they put on these. A sample of 27 patients was drawn, and their views obtained using focus groups. This enabled the exploration of the patients’ own views of what services were important to them. The findings confirm that some services included in more structured questionnaires and interviews are ones that patients would spontaneously identify. These include better information, help with activities of daily living, and home-care services. Macmillan nurses and GPs’ services are highly rated but not in all areas. The patients identify additional services as important to them. These are the provision of something to do, improved hospital visits and respite supports for their family carers. Differences identified across the three trust areas should make purchasers sensitive to variations in services valued by patients.