Up to four in ten Scottish hospices faced shortages of PPE during the early stages of the pandemic, according to a new report that says end of life care across the UK was compromised because these services were not deemed to be ‘frontline NHS’.

In what it says is the first assessment of the care provided to people at the end of their lives during the pandemic, Marie Curie warns that the system is still not yet fit for purpose.

The report came as Scotland reached a total of 10,000 deaths where coronavirus had been listed on the death certificate.

Marie Curie’s research drew on surveys of nearly 300 hospice and palliative care services across the UK about their experiences in the first wave of the pandemic, with 33 organisations in Scotland responding.  

Shifts in care during the pandemic saw a sharp increase in numbers spending their last days at home, healthandcare.scot reported last year.

More than 4,000 additional deaths took place at home than in previous years but Ellie Wagstaff, of Marie Curie Scotland, said in a blog that already “inconsistent” support for community palliative care services worsened during the pandemic.

Problems included managing more complex patients in their homes as bed numbers had to be reduced due to social distancing.

One Scottish hospice said: ‘As we are not classed as ‘frontline NHS’ we were unable to access [masks and gowns] from our local NHS board…this was less than satisfactory for seven weeks, however this has now been resolved.’

The Scottish government was criticised last month after it was reported that hospices had only received £10m of £24m in covid-19 support funds they been promised.

Ellie Wagstaff said: ‘The Scottish government's Strategic Framework for Action on Palliative Care 2016-2021 states that by 2021, 'everyone who needs palliative care will have access to it'. Unfortunately, despite making some progress, government has so far fallen short of this ambition.

‘Many still experience inequality and inequity when engaging with and accessing palliative care services, especially among certain demographics, such as those dying with non-cancer conditions, older people and women.’

Marie Curie chief executive Matthew Reed said: “Palliative and end of life care must be an essential part of the health and social care system and not a forgotten after-thought. Hospitals and care homes have rightly had a focus in the pandemic but the Better End of Life 2021 Research Report shows us that many in our society fall through the cracks when they need support at the end of life.

“How the dying spend their final days lives on in the memory of the people who love them. It is true that most people would choose to die at home, but no one should be allowed to die in pain and without the essential care they need.

“Today, we are calling for a long-term settlement to make sure end of life care is sustainably funded, with a particular emphasis on ensuring people dying at home always receive the support they need.”

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.