Paramedics are being left "to navigate end-of-life care in the dark," a charity has warned.
Marie Curie has raised concerns that thousands of people who wish to die at home this winter may not receive the care they need due to gaps in training, access to medication, and patient records.
The warning follows a study by the University of Southampton, the University of the West of England, and South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb), funded by Marie Curie, which highlighted the barriers paramedics face in delivering palliative care.
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The survey, funded by Marie Curie, was conducted by the University of Southampton, University of the West of England, and South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) (Image: Supplied)
Dr Sam Royston, executive director of research and policy at Marie Curie, said: "It is deeply concerning that there are so many barriers to paramedics giving people at the end of life the support and medications they need in their own home.
"With winter fast approaching and pressure mounting across emergency services, Marie Curie are deeply concerned that without urgent action, thousands of people will be left without the compassionate, informed care they need in their final days.
"We are calling on the UK government to ensure that paramedics are no longer left to navigate end-of-life care in the dark but have the training, access to medicines, and patient records required to support dying people well."
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The survey found that eight in 10 paramedics sometimes lack access to essential medicines, and nearly half never or rarely know a patient's end-of-life status before arriving at the scene.
78 per cent reported sometimes fearing they might do the wrong thing when caring for someone in their last year of life.
Dr Natasha Campling, associate professor at the University of Southampton and lead author of the study, said: "These gaps can lead to distress not only for patients and their families but also paramedics who are working hard and with compassion to provide care in challenging circumstances."
Marie Curie is calling for training for all paramedics, enhanced digital patient record sharing, better access to 24/7 specialist advice lines, and better access to medicines to support paramedics.