University of Leeds study reveals terminally ill patients in the north get less hospice care than southerners

The joint study by the University of Leeds and Hospice UK has found that in general, patients in the north of England receive on average 20 days less care than the rest of the country.

A night to remember 50,000 loved ones cared for by St Gemma's Hospice in LeedsPatients in the north were referred to hospice care around 35 days before death.

This is compared to the 55 days of hospice care patients received in the south and the Midlands and the east.

Family of first ever St Gemma's Hospice patient praise care on 40th anniversaryThe researchers have said that some adults with incurable diseases like cancer, dementia or liver failure were not receiving palliative care from hospices early enough.

According to previous clinical trial research, patients with diseases like cancer or dementia should be referred for palliative care between three and six months before they die.

Dr Matthew Allsop co-wrote the paper and is a University Academic Fellow in the St Gemma's Academic Unit of Palliative Care.