Statistics about hospice care in each UK nation

In 2023-24, the hospices in England provided palliative and end of life care to 260,000 people [3].

Hospices in England provided direct support services to 81,000 family members, friends and carers. [3].

In 2023-24, the hospices in Northern Ireland provided palliative and end of life care to 11,000 people [3].

Hospices in Northern Ireland provided direct support services to 1,100 family members, friends and carers [3].

In 2023-24, the hospices in Scotland provided palliative and end of life care to 19,000 people [3].

Scottish hospices provided direct support services to 4,200 family members, friends and carers [3].

In 2023-24, the hospices in Wales provided palliative and end of life care to 12,000 people [3].

Welsh hospices provided direct support services to 6,600 family members, friends and carers [3].

In 2023-24, 17% of hospices’ total service activity in England was delivered in an inpatient unit and 54% of hospices’ total activity was delivered at the person’s place of residence. [3].

In England in 2023-24:

• 610,000 visits were made by specialist palliative care nurses and doctors to hospice patients at home
• 640,000 visits were made by generalist healthcare staff to hospice patients at home (including nurses, healthcare assistants, social workers and carers).
• 750,000 outpatient appointments were made by hospices for physiotherapy, counselling and other support services
• 520,000 days and nights of inpatient care were provided by hospices
• 380,000 appointments were provided to patients’ families, friends and carers, including counselling and bereavement support

In 2023-24, 16% of hospices’ total service activity in Northern Ireland was delivered in an inpatient unit and 73% of hospices’ total activity was delivered at the person’s place of residence [3].

In Northern Ireland in 2023-24:

• 59,000 visits were made by specialist palliative care nurses and doctors to hospice patients at home.
• 29,000 visits were made by generalist healthcare staff to hospice patients at home (including nurses, healthcare assistants, social workers and carers).
• 14,000 outpatient appointments were made by hospices for physiotherapy, counselling and other support services.
• 19,000 days and nights of inpatient care were provided by hospices.
• 7,200 appointments were provided to patients’ families, friends and carers, including counselling and bereavement support.

In 2023-24, 30% of hospices’ total service activity in Scotland was delivered in an inpatient unit and 55% of hospices’ total activity was delivered at the person’s place of residence [3].

In Scotland in 2023-24:

• 41,000 visits were made by specialist palliative care nurses and doctors to hospice patients at home.
• 33,000 visits were made by generalist healthcare staff to hospice patients at home (including nurses, healthcare assistants, social workers and carers).
• 25,000 outpatient appointments were made by hospices for physiotherapy, counselling and other support services.
• 65,000 days and nights of inpatient care were provided by hospices.
• 29,000 appointments were provided to patients’ families, friends and carers, including counselling and bereavement support.

In 2023-24, 14% of hospices’ total service activity in Wales was delivered in an inpatient unit and 74% of hospices’ total activity was delivered at the person’s place of residence [3].

In Wales in 2023-24:

• 36,000 visits were made by specialist palliative care nurses and doctors to hospice patients at home.
• 37,000 visits were made by generalist healthcare staff to hospice patients at home (including nurses, healthcare assistants, social workers and carers).
• 19,000 outpatient appointments were made by hospices for physiotherapy, counselling and other support services.
• 19,000 days and nights of inpatient care were provided by hospices.
• 23,000 appointments were provided to patients’ families, friends and carers, including counselling and bereavement support.

In 2022-23, 13,800 clinical and care staff were employed by hospices in England [5].

Of these:

• 10,500 were nurses and healthcare assistants
• 800 were doctors (some other doctors were employed by NHS hospitals/Health and Social Care Trusts to work across a hospital and a hospice)
• 2,500 were other health and care professionals.

The vast majority (91%) of the clinical workforce in hospices is female and around a third of the clinical workforce (37%) is aged over 55 [4].

Around 82,000 volunteers help hospices deliver care and support services in England [5].

An estimated 1,800 trustees volunteer on hospice governing boards [6]. 

In 2022-23, 530 clinical and care staff were employed by hospices in Northern Ireland [5].

Of these:

• 420 were nurses and healthcare assistants
• 62 were doctors (some other doctors were employed by NHS hospitals/Health and Social Care Trusts to work across a hospital and a hospice)
• 48 were other health and care professionals.

The vast majority (96%) of the clinical workforce in hospices is female and around a third of the clinical workforce (32%) is aged over 55 [4].

Around 1,500 volunteers help hospices deliver care and support services in Northern Ireland [5].

An estimated 40 trustees volunteer on hospice governing boards [6].

In 2022-23, 1,170 clinical and care staff were employed by hospices in Scotland [5].

Of these:

• 890 were nurses and healthcare assistants
• 80 were doctors (some other doctors were employed by NHS hospitals/Health and Social Care Trusts to work across a hospital and a hospice)
• 200 were other health and care professionals.

The vast majority (93%) of the clinical workforce in hospices is female and just over a third of the clinical workforce (35%) is aged over 55 [4].

Around 5,300 volunteers help hospices deliver care and support services in Scotland [5].

An estimated 140 trustees volunteer on hospice governing boards [6].

In 2022-23, 600 clinical and care staff were employed by hospices in Wales [5].

Of these:

• 460 were nurses and healthcare assistants.
• 30 were doctors (some other doctors were employed by NHS hospitals/Health and Social Care Trusts to work across a hospital and a hospice).
• 110  were other health and care professionals.

The vast majority (97%) of the clinical workforce in Welsh hospices is female and nearly half the clinical workforce (45%) is aged over 55 [4].

Around 3,602 volunteers help hospices deliver care and support services in Wales [5].

An estimated 120 trustees volunteer on hospice governing boards [6].